Mo Yan calls in Turkey for more literature translation

Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan Saturday called on the Chinese and Turkish governments to make further efforts in translating more works in a bid to increase better understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries. The Chinese writer made the statement at a press conference in Istanbul where he has spent five days in a week tour as the last guest of "100 Chinese Intellectuals" invited by the Turkish government. "Reading books is a kind of in-depth understanding by the people of different countries," he said, noting "the main problem between the two countries in the field of literature is the lack of the translated books." "I could have chance to read only the books of Orhan Pamuk as he was the only Turkish writer whose books have been translated into Chinese and Turkish readers most probably only read my book," he said. Mo Yan visited Orhan Pamuk, the Turkish 2006 Nobel prize winner in literature, in his private library on Friday evening. The two Nobel laureates agreed to contribute more to accelerate the translations of the both countries' literature works. "I am sure that Orhan Pamuk would support the translation projects. I want my visit to Turkey to be a breaking point in that context," he said. Mo Yan said that he gathered memories and materials during his Turkey's visit to be used in his future book. "I would most probably use the ancient cultural touch of Hagia Sofiaas as the main venue in my future book." He told the press that he was very much impressed by the atmosphere of the natural and historical beauties in Turkey. Hagia Sophia, built in 573, used to be a church during the Byzantine Empire. And with the conquest of Istanbul in 1453, it had been turn into a mosque. Currently it has been served to public as a museum. "In every corner of the Hagia Sophia, you can feel the touch of the ancient people. It is a living document that has been left from the past," he said. He added that he would like to use every war item he saw at the military museum of Harbiye. "I have a book which tells a story of a war. I am very much interested in the items related with the war, " he added. Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Friday met with visiting Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan, praising his great contribution to the world literature. During the one-year period, Turkey hosted 100 Chinese intellectuals, which has been considered the first biggest project in the history of the relations between the two countries. The project was organized as part of the 2013 Turkish cultural year in China. Turkish project coordinator Rahmi Ozgirgin said: "The project revealed the fact that the two ancient civilizations have a lot of common to share and the cultural exchange is the most important way to demolish the prejudice between the two communities."