Guatemala City: The traditional Chinese version of the sacred Mayan text "Popol Vuh," a collaborative effort between Taiwan and Guatemala, was released in Guatemala on Wednesday. This marks the second official translation of the text following its Portuguese version.
According to Focus Taiwan, the release event was held at Guatemala's National Palace of Culture. Guatemala's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maria Luisa Ramirez, emphasized that the Popol Vuh is not merely a narrative of Mayan mythology and history but also a symbol of Guatemalan identity and spirit. The traditional Chinese translation of the classic is seen as a step towards breaking language and regional barriers, allowing it to enter the Chinese-speaking world. Ramirez expressed hope that this initiative will ignite interest in Mayan culture among the younger generation.
Taiwan's Ambassador to Guatemala, Chang Chun-fei, also attended the event, praising the translation as a metaphorical bridge that strengthens the friendship and cultural exchange between Taiwan and Guatemala. The event was intentionally scheduled on April 23 to coincide with World Book and Copyright Day. Chang thanked organizations involved in the translation, including Taiwan's Tzu Chi University, and expressed hopes for deeper educational and cultural ties between the two nations.
Tzu Chi University President Ingrid Y Liu, in a press release on Thursday, echoed Chang's sentiments, expressing the desire for future collaborations with Guatemala in higher education and healthcare. Professor Shin Ya-ju from the university's Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, who participated in the translation project, shared that she began working on the project two years ago in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala in Taiwan. She described the project as more than just a translation effort, but a cultural connection.
According to Tzu Chi University's Thursday press release, the Popol Vuh is a literary classic of the Mayan civilization. It chronicles the mythology and history of the K'iche' people of Guatemala, one of the many Mayan groups. The text serves as a creation narrative predating the Spanish conquest of the Mayan people.