The Translation and Reception of P. P. Bazhov’s Works in China

Abstract

This article describes the distribution and reception of P. P. Bazhov’s works in China. The analysis is based on systematic information from Chinese newspapers, magazines, books, and online resources. In the 1940s, following the success of “The Stone Flower” at the Cannes Film Festival, Chinese newspapers actively covered the film, and magazines began publishing translations of individual works by P. P. Bazhov. In the 1950s, Bazhov’s works became widely popular thanks to various translations and multiple reprints. In the 1980s, translation interest shifted to individual texts by the writer, and in the 21st century, the emphasis has shifted primarily to texts intended for children. The reception of P. P. Bazhov’s work in China has transformed: from collective reading, conditioned by the political context, to individual reading activity dictated by an interest in the work itself. Thanks to the development of information technology and representation in various media, P. P. Bazhov’s works continue to find an audience in China.