A three-way video teleconference between Pskov, St Petersburg and Gaomi (China) was held as part of the festival. The video teleconference was attended by: Nobel Prize-winning author Mo Yan; Academician Mikhail Piotrovsky, Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University; Dmitry Meskhiev, Artistic Director of the Pskov Academic Drama Theatre, Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation; and Andrei Pronin, Art Director of the Pskov Academic Drama Theatre and the author of the stage adaptation of Mo Yan’s novel "Frog". The teleconference was moderated by Alexey Rodionov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University.

Addressing the audience during the video teleconference, Academician Mikhail Piotrovsky noted that Chinese literature is becoming more and more popular in Russia. In 2023, Chinese authors rose to the sixth place in the rating of most popular translated books in Russia, overtaking Spanish writers. St Petersburg University academics are instrumental in introducing Chinese literature to Russian readers. In particular, almost all of Mo Yan’s novels have been translated into Russian. Mikhail Piotrovsky also recalled the major project implemented by Professor Aleksandr Storozhuk, Head of the Department of Chinese Philology at St Petersburg University, who has been translating the literary works of the classic of Chinese literature Pu Songling.

People should read both classical and contemporary Chinese literature. It is through literature that we learn about different aspects of the history and culture of other nations; it helps us to better understand other mentalities. I am very glad that St Petersburg University is building the invisible bridge between Pu Songling’s classical literature and contemporary Chinese fiction through the literary works of Mo Yan. Furthermore, these are not just literary translations, but thorough in-depth research studies.

Academician Mikhail Piotrovsky, Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University

Mo Yan concurred with Mikhail Piotrovsky’s view, adding that in his formative years, he was influenced by Pu Songling’s writings. Also, as a school student, he read many of the Russian classical literary works, which have been given much attention in the Chinese school curriculum since the 1950s.

‘I love Russian literature, and there are references to your country in my novels, albeit implicit. For example, in the novel "Frog", the big-nosed Chen Bi had a Russian mother. I am very pleased that Russian readers can relate to my books and empathise with my characters. And importantly, you are giving them new forms and meanings of existence,’ said the Nobel Prize-winning novelist Mo Yan. 

Professor Alexey Rodionov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University, was the academic consultant for the stage play "Frogs". Professor Rodionov delivered a lecture on contemporary Chinese literature. 

As a reminder, the play "Frogs", which was performed at the end the festival, received eight nominations for the Golden Mask theatre award.