An exhibition featuring the original manuscripts by some of Britain’s greatest writers kicked off on March 15 at Shanghai Library.

The exhibition, “Where Great Writers Gather: Treasures of the British Library,” features the precious manuscripts by famed British writers in the 19th and 20th centuries, including Charlotte Bronte, D.H. Lawrence, Percy Bysshe Shelley, T.S. Eliot and Charles Dickens.
The exhibition also features some great literary works from China. It aims to showcase the abundance and diversity in the traditions of literature in the two countries.
During the opening ceremony, Hu Jinjun, deputy head of the Publicity Department of CPC Shanghai committee, said he hoped the Shanghai Library and British Library would adhere to opening up and cooperation, enhance cultural and educational exchanges, and benefit more readers, so as to play a positive role in promoting a comprehensive, lasting and deepened development in the cultural relation between China and Britain.

Ni Bing, deputy director of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture, Radio, Film and TV, gave a souvenir seal to Phil Spence, chief operating officer of British Library at the ceremony. The seal consists of two semicircular parts. Each library keeps one part. Made by a famed seal engraver, the seal embodies the fruit of the cooperation and the long-lasting friendship between the two libraries.

Chen Chao, curator Shanghai Library; Phil Spence, chief operating office of British Library; and Zhao Lihong, vice chairman of Shanghai Writers’ Association, delivered their speeches during the ceremony.
After the ceremony, distinguished guests from home and abroad visited the exhibition under the guide of the Chinese and British curators.

Chen Chao, curator Shanghai Library; Phil Spence, chief operating office of British Library; and Zhao Lihong, vice chairman of Shanghai Writers’ Association, delivered their speeches during the ceremony.
After the ceremony, distinguished guests from home and abroad visited the exhibition under the guide of the Chinese and British curators.
As part of the exhibition, Shanghai Library also showcased some precious translation works of British literature, and documents that reflect how British literature has been disseminated in Shanghai.

During the exhibition, Shanghai Library will host a series of activities to boost the interaction with readers and enhance the popularity of the exhibition, including a translation contest of British literary works, a reading contest of British literature and an event that solicits manuscripts from Shanghai’s cultural celebrities regarding their stories on British literature.
The details of the translation contest of British literature can be found at http://beta.library.sh.cn/SHLibrary/newsinfo.aspx?id=487
The exhibition runs from March 15 to April 15 at the No. 2 Exhibition Hall of the West Gate of Shanghai Library (near Gao’an Road) for free.