Frankfurt-based nonprofit Litprom has awarded contemporary Chinese poet Yu Jian's anthology "File Zero" first prize in its tenth annual World Receiver literature competition.
The German competition, also known as the Weltempf nger, selects the best German-translated literature from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Yu Jian's "File Zero" anthology was first published in 1994. His unique and innovative style of poetry stirred up a lot of attention and controversy within China's poetry community at that time, with critics offering both swelling admiration and biting criticism.
Almost twenty years later, Litprom's selection of the anthology's Germany translation for its top prize puts Yu Jian back in the spotlight again.
The success of Asian literature this year was a surprising and fresh trend for the competition, Anita Djafari, selection committee member and Litprom literature news editor, said.
"The result is very eye-catching," Djafari said. "The champion is a Chinese, and the runner-up and seventh place winners are Koreans. On one hand, it shows that more and more Asian works have been translated into German, and on the other, it reminds us to keep our eyes open to more Asian literature."
Poetry and anthology tend to be overlooked by judges compared with other forms of literature, Djafari explained. But this time, the jury gave almost unanimous praise to "File Zero," securing it the top spot in the competition.
Literary editor and juror Katharina Borchardt also gave high praise for the work.
"I and the rest of the jurors all agreed that it is the best Asian poetry [we] have ever read," Borchardt said. "The language of Yu Jian is simple, plain, and colloquial, but the expressions and images are vivid, strong and powerful, which make us identify with his ideas and makes us resonate with him immediately."
"File Zero" is one of a handful of Chinese literature works translated into German so far, Borchardt said. The anthology winning the laureate marks a remarkable achievement for a unique Chinese work.
The German translator of "File Zero," Marc Herrmann, said he was also impressed and touched by the simplicity of Yu Jian's language.
"Many poets enjoy flowery language and playing words games, and their poems are usually unfathomable to readers," Herrmann said. "Yu Jian, however, focuses more on communication with readers. His poems mirror real life and make readers feel connected."