On September 24, 2024 (local time), the China-themed Editorial Department in Hungary of Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) held a book launch and signing ceremony at the China Culture Center in Budapest.
Medgyessy Péter, Former Hungarian Prime Minister, attended the ceremony and received a complimentary copy of the published work. This event was also attended by other Chinese and foreign guests, including Mr. Jin Hao, Director of the China Culture Center in Budapest,Mr. Liu Jie, Editor-in-Chief of FLTRP, Mr. Kocsis András, Founder of Kocsis Kiadó, Mr. Márkus József, President of Kocsis Kiadó, Mr. Herner Daniel, representative of QED,Mr. Yu Zemin, a translator and writer residing in Hungary, and Ms. Guo Xiaojing, Director of the Hungarian Research Center at Beijing Foreign Studies University. The event was hosted by Ms. Yu-Barta Erika, Director of FLTRP’s China-themed Editorial Department in Hungary.
Mr. Liu Jiereviewed the development of cooperation between FLTRP and Hungary in his speech. He said that since the establishment of the China-themed Editorial Department in Budapest in 2018, FLTRP has leveraged its localized operational advantages to develop close partnerships with multiple Hungarian publishers, successfully promoting the translation and publication of over 20 Chinese books in Hungary. This book launch and signing ceremony signifies the continued and stable progress of China-Hungary cooperation between publishers, which will further expand its scope and scale, representing not only the achievements of joint efforts by both sides but also another important milestone in the cultural exchange between China and Hungary.
Kocsis András, founder of Kocsis Kiadó and winner ofSpecial Book Award of China in 2019, said that FLTRP’s China-themed Editorial Department has carved out a unique presence in Hungary. Through several years of development, it has gradually explored an innovative model of localized operation, becoming a model for exchange and cooperation between China and Hungary in publication. Culture is like a rainbow visible in every corner of the world, forming a beautiful bridge. It is hoped that through today’s event, publishers from China and Hungary can walk hand in hand across this rainbow bridge.
Herner Daniel,representing Herner János, founder of QED and Deputy Director of the National Széchényi Library, delivered a speech, reflecting on his involvement in publishing a series of Chinese books in Hungarian, including Tao Te Ching, Journey to the West, and Chinese New Year Pictures. He expressed that publishing these works is a tremendous honorand an exciting adventure, allowing for a deeper understanding of Chinese civilization and culture through publishing.
Mr. Liu Jie, Mr. Kocsis András, Mr. Herner Daniel,and Ms. Yu-Barta Erika, jointly unveiled the Hungarian editions of Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture (Volume Five), Chinese Characters, andThe Prisoner of Time.
Flóri Anna,representative of translators, shared her insights on translating the “Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture” series, while Yu Zemin took the opportunity of introducing the new books to discuss the history of the translation and publication of Chinese books in Hungary.
FLTRP signed cooperation agreements with Kocsis Kiadó and QED for the Hungarian editions of books, includingBenba and Insights into Chinese Culture. Benba represents another achievementof FLTR’s collaboration with Yilin Press to promote Chinese literature abroad. The two parties have successfully realized the copyright licensingof literary works by several contemporary Chinese authors, including Liu Liangcheng, A Yi, and Pema Tseden.
At the event, many Hungarian sinologists,including Salát Gergely, Zombory Klára, Madaras-Takács Réka, and Horváth Janisz, gathered together to engage in lively discussions on topics such as the promotion and impact of Chinese books in Hungary, the digital publication of books, and the reading habits of Hungarian readers.
As the event concluded successfully, FLTRP donated high-quality books covering Chinese literature, Chinese culture, international Chinese language education, and English learning to the China Culture Center in Budapest. The Center is expected to deepen and pass on the friendship between China and Hungary while continuing to expand cultural exchanges between the two countries.
