The acclaimed novelist and poet Anne MICHAELS once wrote: “The poet moves from life to language, the translator moves from language to life.” These profound words ring true for a group of young translators who have taken it upon themselves to bring classical Chinese poems to life for today’s global audiences by translating them into English.

Their creative efforts in preserving Chinese culture have not gone unnoticed. Since 2018, the Department of Linguistics and Translation (LT) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has held the JC Poetic Heritage Translation Awards (“the Awards”), generously supported by Dr Jennifer CHEUNG Chui-yiu JP, a court member of CityU. They are open not only to LT students but to all CityU students and senior secondary students, to encourage everyone to appreciate the beauty of classical Chinese poetry.

The fruits of their labours were being celebrated in a special exhibition titled “Triumph of Words”, with the winning works of the past six years displayed in all their glory at Run Run Shaw Library from 27 June to 27 July 2023. The opening ceremony, attended by esteemed individuals and past awardees, was a grand affair. Cheung graced the occasion with her presence, along with Mr Sunny LEE Wai-kwong, Vice-President (Administration) of CityU, Professor KIT Chunyu, Head of LT, other faculty members and guests.

The ceremony started with Kit’s welcoming speech, expressing his gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made the event possible. Lee followed with opening remarks, providing background information on the awards and the benefactor. “This exhibition is a testament to our commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community that values creativity, innovation and excellence,” he noted.

In her opening remarks, Cheung, a literary enthusiast, shed light on the essence of classical Chinese poetry. She also emphasised the awards’ spirit to encourage collaboration, creativity and the pursuit of solutions that make a difference in people’s lives. “By sharing the same vision, we have the power to shape a brighter future. I envision the awards serving as a catalyst for positive change,” she added.

As the ceremony unfolded, attendees enjoyed the exquisite renditions on display, showcasing the young translators’ exceptional talent and dedication. Undoubtedly, this occasion bore witness to the power of translation in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of classical Chinese poetry for generations to come.