18/07/2026
Chinese Edition of Letters from Jail (《狱ä¸äżˇćśă€‹) Grandly Launched, Further Strengthening Nepal–China Literary and Cultural Exchange
The Chinese edition of Letters from Jail (《狱ä¸äżˇćśă€‹), originally written by the Chairman of Nepal workers and peasants party, Mr. Narayanman Bujukchhen and jointly translated by Ms. Zhang Hongwei and Mr. Pranaya Chitrakar, Chinese language teachers at the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University (CIKU), was grandly launched on 17 July 2026 at Bal Vikash English Secondary School, Bhaktapur. The ceremony was attended by more than 200 participants, including distinguished guests, principals of various educational institutions, teachers, scholars, students, and Chinese language learners, demonstrating the growing strength of Nepal–China educational and cultural cooperation.
In his keynote address, Mr. Narayanman Bijukchhen (Rohit), Chairman of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and author of Letters from Jail, expressed his happiness that his work has now reached Chinese readers. He emphasized that literature preserves history, culture, and human values, and appreciated the dedication of the translators and all those who contributed to making the Chinese edition possible.
Mr. Surendra Raj Gosai, Member of the Bagmati Provincial Assembly and Principal of Bal Vikash English Secondary School, highlighted the significance of publishing the Chinese edition as an important contribution to Nepal–China literary and cultural exchange. He expressed his gratitude to all individuals and institutions involved and noted that the publication would help introduce Nepal’s history, culture, and society to Chinese readers.
In his address, Prof. Dr. Li Shuangcheng, Director of the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, congratulated the author, translators, and all contributors to the publication. He emphasized that translation is an important bridge connecting civilizations and promoting mutual understanding. He expressed confidence that 《狱ä¸äżˇćśă€‹ would enable Chinese readers to gain a deeper understanding of Nepal’s literature, culture, and society, while reaffirming the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University’s continued commitment to strengthening Nepal–China friendship through language education, literary translation, and cultural exchange.
Speaking as one of the translators, Ms. Zhang Hongwei shared that translating 《狱ä¸äżˇćśă€‹ was far more than a linguistic task; it was a profound dialogue with the author’s spirit. She explained that the book transcends political boundaries and tells a universal story of humanity, hope, perseverance, and love. Throughout the translation process, she sought to preserve not only the meaning of the text but also its emotions and cultural depth, hoping Chinese readers would truly experience the author’s sincerity and unwavering hope. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the completion of the publication.
Mr. Pranaya Chitrakar, one of the translators and a Chinese language teacher at the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, reflected on the translation as an important milestone in his translation journey. Referring to the author’s own philosophy on translation, he emphasized that translation should faithfully convey not only words but also meaning, emotion, and cultural context. Inspired by this principle, he proposed including photographs and cultural explanations in the Chinese edition to help readers better understand Nepal’s heritage. He further remarked that the book introduces Nepal’s art, architecture, traditions, and particularly the rich cultural heritage of Bhaktapur, while also serving as a bridge to encourage more Chinese readers, researchers, and tourists to explore Nepal. He concluded by expressing sincere gratitude to his translation partner, family, and the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University for their continuous trust and support.
Among the other distinguished speakers, Asst. Prof. Tara Lal Shrestha appreciated the literary significance of Letters from Jail and highlighted its value as an important contribution to Nepali literature. Ms. Gu Zhicao, Editor-in-Chief of Xuemo Cultural Network, remarked that the Chinese edition provides Chinese readers with a valuable opportunity to understand Nepal’s literature, culture, and social history through the author’s reflections. Dr. Sarbottam Shrestha praised the translators for successfully completing the challenging task of translating a Nepali literary work into Chinese and noted that the publication opens new possibilities for introducing more Nepali literature to Chinese readers. He also suggested that future editions could include additional explanatory notes to further assist Chinese readers in understanding Nepal’s cultural context.
Dr. Liu Dihong commended the book as an important literary work that reflects the author’s deep concern for his family, society, and the nation while showcasing Nepal’s rich cultural heritage. In the closing remarks, Mr. Mohan Prasad Prajapati, Chairman of the School Management Committee, thanked all distinguished guests, organizers, translators, and participants for making the program a memorable success and expressed hope that the publication would further strengthen literary and cultural relations between Nepal and China.
The successful launch of the Chinese edition of Letters from Jail marks another significant milestone in Nepal–China literary and cultural cooperation. By making this remarkable Nepali work accessible to Chinese readers, the publication is expected to deepen mutual understanding, promote Nepal’s literary heritage internationally, and further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the peoples of Nepal and China through literature, language, and education.
