Difference and similarity

Liang Hong, a professor of literature at Renmin University, Beijing, specializes in scholarly research into 20th century Chinese literature. Liang's two non-fiction books about her hometown, China in Liang Village and Leaving Liang Village, established her reputation as an eminent chronicler of contemporary Chinese rural life.

The English translation of her The Sacred Clan won the Arts Council England 2021 PEN Translates award for contemporary literature in translation.

The stories in The Sacred Clan are set in China's rural areas. "When stories happening in China's rural areas travel to the UK to be read by UK readers, it is precisely because of the differences between the countryside of the two countries, rather than the similarities. The reason why human life is so rich, so attractive and so fascinating is precisely because of the differences between them," she said.

"Although details about cultures, living habits and so on might be lost in translation, what will not be lost is the feelings and emotions of human beings, which are shared by Chinese people, British people and all the human beings on earth."

The two writers also encouraged overseas Chinese students, who attended the event, to embrace the differences of the world, and stick to their passion for literature.

Video by Han Jing