Chilean visitors experience Chinese tea culture at the book fair. Photo: Courtesy of CNPIEC

The Santiago International Book Fair 2024 is currently being held in Chile with China as the guest of honor. The fair features thousands of publications from around the globe, offering a myriad of cultural activities designed to immerse the public in the literary richness of one of the world's oldest cultures as well as promote dialogue with other civilizations, especially with China.

The Chinese exhibition area at the book fair boasts over 3,000 titles, comprising more than 10,000 published books that resonate deeply with the interests of Chilean readers. Among these publications, the focus includes works surrounding China's extennsive reforms and modernization efforts, which have garnered considerable attention, and attracted numerous foreign scholars and local visitors who are eager to engage in reading and discussion.

The fair also showcased collaborative publishing ventures between Chinese and Latin American publishers, featuring bilingual works by renowned Chilean poets such as Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, according to introductions sent to the Global Times by the China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Co, Ltd (CNPIEC).

The opening ceremony held on Friday attracted over 200 participants, including representatives from Chinese and Chilean cultural institutions, universities, and think tanks. Carolina Arrendondo Marzán, minister of Cultures, Arts, and Heritage of Chile, along with Santiago Mayor Irací Hassler attended the opening event and underscored the vital role that reading plays in both cultures. They emphasized that both nations share a rich literary heritage and that their passion for books unites people beyond borders, language, and traditions. The festival serves as a platform for fostering dialogue in literature, art, and history, helping bridge the cultural divide between China and Chile.

A variety of events are scheduled throughout the book fair, which will run until Sunday, including discussions on new opportunities for Sino-Latin American publishing collaboration, a literary exchange forum, and a donation of books to the Neruda Foundation. Attendees will also have an opportunity to explore exhibitions that highlight the history of the Chinese painting, as well as enjoy traditional performances featuring poetry, calligraphy, and tea culture.

Kang Zhen, a Chinese scholar and professor focused on Chinese classic poems at the College of Arts, Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times on Monday that he brought his book on ancient classic poems to the book fair, and at the signing session he felt Chilean readers' enthusiasm to learn more about traditional Chinese culture.

"To strengthen the bonds and foster dialogue between our two ancient civilizations through literature, we must cultivate more talent in translation and promote projects that introduce each other's remarkable literary works," said Kang, noting that there is a growing desire from both China and Latin America for the enrichment that literature provides.

Established in 1981 by the Chilean Chamber of Books, the Santiago International Book Fair has become one of the most significant literary celebrations in Latin America.