RIYADH: King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh is spearheading an initiative to introduce Saudi culture to Chinese-speaking audiences through its publishing program.
A series of scientific, cultural and literary works in Arabic were selected for translation into various languages, including Chinese.
The purpose of the program is to present a comprehensive portrait of contemporary Saudi culture to Chinese readers, an official statement noted.
The first volume of “The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Saudi Arabia” is one of the most prominent works the library has translated into Chinese, and represents the first step toward translating all 20 volumes of the encyclopedia.
The volumes will cover all regions of the Kingdom with a focus on their history, archeology, culture and geography, economy, social patterns, customs and traditions, tourism, and wildlife.
The library also translated the book “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China: A History of Trade Relations between China and the Arabian Peninsula,” which highlights the contributions of the Arab-Islamic nation and China, and their scientific achievements in many fields such as astronomy, sciences, geography, agriculture and medicine, among others.
The book also shows their long-standing relations before and after the emergence of Islam, as they exchanged trade and travel via the Silk Road. The book reveals the reality of their cooperation and mutual understanding and is an important source for researchers from both civilizations, the official statement explained.
Among works selected for translation into Chinese is Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mana’s book “In the Footsteps of Al-Mutanabbi,” which documents the locations the Abbasid-era poet passed through during his journey from Cairo to Kufa.
Some of the books the library is also translating into Chinese include “Modern Woman in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Rights Challenges and Achievements” by Hend Al-Sudairy.
Al-Sudairy’s book places women in a broader cultural context, exploring diverse topics and historical developments and highlighting their social and economic contributions. It allows readers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the reality on the ground by examining and connecting Saudi women’s past with their present.
Other works to be translated into Chinese include “The Art of Sadu between the Past and the Present,” “Saudi Landmarks and Places,” and “Traditional Jewelry of Women in Central Arabian Peninsula.”
The library has also completed the translation of 11 children’s stories from Arabic to Chinese. These stories cover a wide range of topics, offering young Chinese readers a window into Saudi Arabia’s rich history and culture.
Since establishing its branch at Peking University in China six years ago, the library has been engaged in numerous activities aimed at introducing Chinese audiences to various elements of Saudi, Arab and Islamic culture.
The initiatives include facilitating seminars and workshops on traditional Saudi arts and the Arabic language.
