Greek Ambassador to China Evgenios Kalpyris at a recent launch event for the Chinese book. [Photo by Yang Yang/China Daily]
In 1857, British Sinologist Alexander Wylie founded the first Chinese news monthly in Shanghai called Liuhe Congkan (Shanghai Serial), which introduced Western learning to the East and Chinese culture to the West.
Columnist Joseph Edkins, who worked for the monthly publication, wrote essays about classic Western literature, including epics by Greek poet Homer and the ancient Greek theaters. In his piece, A Brief Discussion on Greek Poets, he mentioned the tragic and comic poets Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes, as well as their works.
"The introduction of these cultures and ideas from the West has played a crucial role in the construction of modern Chinese thought, value standards and aesthetic systems," said Luo Tong, a scholar specializing in Greek theater at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, at a recent launch event for the Chinese translation of the book, How to Fit All of Ancient Greece in an Elevator. The book will be released next month.
At the start of the 20th century, Western culture was widely introduced to China along with the New Culture Movement.
"Mr Democracy" and "Mr Science" from the democratic times of ancient Greece, featured in a contemporary way with updated meanings by Chinese intellectuals, greatly influenced Chinese society, which was going through a profound transformation. Old-generation scholars at that time began translating and studying ancient Greek literature and history more systematically, Luo says.
Cover for the Chinese version of the book, How to Fit All of Ancient Greece in an Elevator.[Photo provided to China Daily]
However, despite the efforts of scholars and artists over the past century, Greece appeared strange to the Chinese public due to language barriers, cultural differences and geographical distance, she says. Since the 21st century, as more young Chinese people study the Greek language, things have changed.
Published in the Greek language in 2021 and becoming a best-seller, How to Fit All of Ancient Greece in an Elevator was written by acclaimed archaeologist Theodore Papakostas. A whistle-stop tour through the history of ancient Greece from the Old Stone Age more than 3.5 million years ago to 323 BC, the book starts with two strangers meeting in a trapped elevator, one of whom is an archaeologist.
The book is a good read for Chinese people to learn about ancient Greek civilization, Luo says.
"Instead of textbook-style narration, the author uses a more comprehensible language for common readers to trace the origins of ancient Western civilization in humorous Socratic dialogues," she says.
"It invites readers to think — how do those spectacular ancient bygones relate to us today."
The author skillfully weaves together significant historical facts, the science of archaeology and frequent flashbacks to the everyday lives of ordinary people. This creative approach provides readers an accessible introduction to a vast and otherwise challenging subject.
"The book offers readers, who may not be knowledgeable in the history of the West, the impetus to seek for themselves, based on (historical) milestones, more information about Greek prehistoric and ancient civilization which, to a large extent, has shaped the modern era," said Evgenios Kalpyris, Greek ambassador to China, at the event.
Greek culture continues to fascinate as a Chinese translation of the book, How to Fit All of Ancient Greece in an Elevator, confirms. Meanwhile, exhibitions on all aspects of Greek culture prove popular, such as this bust of Greek poet Homer at Anhui Museum, Hefei, Anhui province, shows.[Photo/China News Service]
The Chinese translation of How to Fit All of Ancient Greece in an Elevator is published by China Translation and Publishing House under China Publishing Group, which published the Chinese translations of the Greek Mythology Series in 2021 and In Search of the Greeks in 2023.
"Through these literary works, we explore the wisdom of ancient civilizations and foster mutual understanding and respect, uniting diverse cultures into a powerful force that drives progress and creates a vibrant chapter in the story of civilization," says Qiao Weibing, president of China Translation and Publishing House.
In May, Huang Zhijian, chairman of the publishing group, led a delegation to Greece where they donated books for the Confucius Institute at the University of Thessaly and the Fourth Primary School and Kindergarten in the municipality of Karditsa, Greece.
The donated books cover a wide range of China's history, culture, arts and science, aiming to deepen the Greek people's understanding of China through reading.
"China Publishing Group will continue to deepen cooperation with Greece and other countries by using books as a bridge for cultural exchange and mutual understanding," says Zhang Jichen, a member of the Party Group of China Publishing Group. "We aim to expand our reach through digital publishing, online dissemination and cultural R&D to overcome geographical and linguistic barriers. We also aim to make China-Greece cultural exchanges more frequent, vibrant and dynamic."
A Tang Dynasty (618-907) agate rhyton cup on display in Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, shows designs that originated in ancient Greek culture.[Photo by Wang Kaihao/China Daily]
