Taiwan and Guatemala publish Chinese translation of holy Mayan manuscript
🌐 Breaking News: Mayan Mythology"Popol Vuh" Transcends Borders in a Symbolic Act of Cultural Unity 🌐
In an exciting leap for cross-cultural collaboration, the traditional Chinese rendition of the revered Mayan text, "Popol Vuh," was officially unveiled in Guatemala just lately. This groundbreaking project is a fruitful collaboration between scholars from Taiwan's Tzu Chi University and Guatemalan authorities.
The Chinese translation of "Popol Vuh" adds another official version to the text, following Portuguese, as it bridges the cultural spheres of Mesoamerica and China, expanding the reach of this ancient tale. 🌐
Speaking at a press event held at Guatemala's National Palace of Culture, Guatemalan Deputy Foreign Minister María Luisa Ramírez emphasized the significance of "Popol Vuh" as a cornerstone of Guatemalan identity, embodying its historical and spiritual legacy. Taiwan’s Ambassador Chang Chun-fei described the translation as a metaphorical bridge, enhancing mutual understanding and reinforcing Taiwan’s role as a cultural partner amid its limited international recognition. The release took place on World Book and Copyright Day (April 23), underscoring its role in promoting cross-cultural literacy. 📚
By making "Popol Vuh" accessible to Chinese-speaking audiences, the project fosters appreciation for Guatemala’s heritage while unveiling the wonders of Mayan cosmology to a broader audience. It further reflects Taiwan’s soft-power strategy to deepen educational and cultural ties with its diplomatic allies, positioning itself as a facilitator of global cultural preservation. 🌐
This collaboration, involving institutions like Tzu Chi University, sets a precedent for future partnerships in academic and cultural projects between the two nations. Moreover, this initiative not only preserves indigenous knowledge but also strengthens Guatemala-Taiwan relations, countering geopolitical pressures while celebrating shared commitments to cultural diversity. 🌍🤝
In a press release, Tzu Chi University President Ingrid Y Liu expressed hope for future collaborations with Guatemala in the fields of higher education and healthcare. The project brought Professor Shin Ya-ju, from the university's Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, to work on the translation, treating it not just as a simple translation project but as cultural thread connecting civilizations. Shin hopes this translated text will give Taiwanese children the opportunity to enjoy the literary wisdom represented by the "Popol Vuh." 📖🌟
[1] https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/04/27/2003760646[2] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/guatemala-announces-traditional-chinese-translation-of-popol-vuh-text-20220427[3] https://www.wqbh.com/ap-asian-news/asia/guatemala-releases-controversial-traditional-chinese-translation-of-popol-vuh-21183108/[4] https://www.guatemalapress.com/2022/04/26/anuncian-autoridades-de-guatemala-la-publicacion-de-la-edicion-tradicional-china-del-popol-vuh/
- Tzu Chi University President Ingrid Y Liu believes this collaboration with Guatemala, focusing on higher education and healthcare, will foster future partnerships, as the translation of 'Popol Vuh' serves as a cultural thread connecting civilizations, such as China and Guatemala.
- The metaphorical bridge established by the 'Popol Vuh' translation provides opportunities for Chinese-speaking audiences to appreciate Mayan heritage and understand Mayan cosmology.
- This educational-and-self-development initiative, undertaken by scholar 劉怡均 (Lei Yi-wen) from Tzu Chi University, not only preserves indigenous knowledge but also strengthens Guatemala-Taiwan relations, enriching both cultures with a deeper understanding of each other's lifestyles, histories, and spiritual legacies, as embodied in the 'Popol Vuh' documents.
