The traditional Chinese version of the sacred Mayan text “Popol Vuh,” an endeavor undertaken as a partnership between Taiwan and Guatemala, was released in Guatemala on Wednesday.
Taiwan’s traditional Chinese edition is the second official translation of the text following Portuguese.
Popol Vuh is not just a narrative that documents Mayan mythology and history, but also a symbol of Guatemalan identity and spirit, Guatemala’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Luisa Ramirez said at a press event held at Guatemala’s National Palace of Culture to announce the translation’s release.
Photo courtesy of Tzu Chi University
With the release of the traditional Chinese translation, the classic has further transcended language and regional barriers to enter the Chinese world, Remiriz said, adding that she also hopes this will inspire a passion for Mayan culture in the younger generation.
Taiwan’s ambassador to Guatemala Chang Chun-fei (張俊菲) praised the translation as a metaphorical bridge which informs the friendship and cultural exchange between Taiwan and Guatemala.
The traditional Chinese version was arranged to be released on Wednesday as April 23 marks annual World Book and Copyright Day, Chang also said.
She thanked the organizations involved with the translation of the text, including Taiwan’s Tzu Chi University, adding that she hopes to see deeper educational and cultural partnerships between Taiwan and Guatemala in the future.
Tzu Chi University President Ingrid Y Liu (劉怡均) echoed Chang’s sentiments in a press release on Thursday, stating that she would like the university to engage in future collaborations with Guatemala in the fields of higher education and healthcare.
In addition, Professor Shin Ya-ju (石雅如) of the university’s Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures who was involved in the translation of the text said she was given a chance to work on the project two years ago when she began engaging with the Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala in Taiwan.
The opportunity was not just a simple translation project, Shin said, but rather a thread that connects cultures.
She said she hoped the translated text will give Taiwanese children the opportunity to enjoy the literary wisdom represented by the Popol Vuh.
According to Tzu Chi University’s Thursday press release, Popol Vuh is a literary classic of the Mayan civilization.
The text specifically chronicles the mythology and history of the K’iche’ Maya people of Guatemala which was one of the many groups of Mayan peoples.
Popol Vuh is a creation narrative that predates the conquest of the Mayan people by the Spanish.
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