The site http://paper-republic.org/ plays an important role: it publicizes Chinese literature abroad and encourages publishers to develop their catalog. The site was founded by a group of well known English speaking translators, some of them living in China.
1 / “Paper-Republic” and Chinese literature in French:
The site, managed in recent months by Helen Wang, has been very active with the book fair in London where China was the guest of honor. Helen Wang is a translator but also a British Museum curator (for coins and medals). She has published books on Chinese coins and Aurel Stein. She has just edited “The Music of Ink,” a book on an event in the museum in June 2005, bringing Chinese and English artists and poets who have worked together and created (text, painting, calligraphy, music …) (1)
Helen Wang wanted to introduce in the site Paper Republic some documentation on translators and publishers in France, which seemed useful taking into account a number of translations larger than in the English speaking world and a recognized quality of the translations.
She began the research, I have developed it and published lists which can be found under “Resources for translators” on the site: they include only translators of contemporary literature; I apologize in advance for omissions and errors.
2 / “Pathlight”, “Peregrine” and “Chutzpah”, new literary magazines:
It should also be noted that some translators with Paper Republic participated in the founding of the literary magazine in English “Pathlight” (2). The magazine, which received official Chinese funding, is published by the Writers Union and Paper Republic.
The first issue, available in print was, it seems, not entirely convincing: a tone too official. The second, released for the book fair in London and available on e-reader seems much more interesting with texts by well known authors.
“Chutzpah” is very different; this journal, the title of which is a Yiddish word meaning “impertinent”, is published by a private media group with Ou Ning as editor, a “cultural entrepreneur” who has devoted himself to many forms of art.
Some texts are translated into English and published separately on the internet under “Peregrine”. A wide variety of content: young writers who are not published elsewhere; Taiwanese novelists and writers who have emigrated (like Ha Jin and Li Yiyun) are also present, which is exceptional in China …
Bertrand Mialaret
(1) “The music of ink at the British Museum,” edited by Helen Wang. Saffron books, 2012.
(2) “The key to China” by Julia Lovell www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/2012/02/the-key-to-china-literary-magazines
