Through August 2-7 Shanghai will host the XVIII FIT World Congress for the first time. It will be a great event for cross-cultural exchange and a get-together for translators from home and abroad.

The following is an interview conducted by China.org.cn with Mr. Huang Youyi, the vice president of the International Federation of Translators (FIT), about the nuts and bolts of preparation work in the run-up as well as the international exchanges in which the Translators Association of China (TAC) will be involved.

Preparation work

PowrPoint slide presentations of the speeches of around 400 attendees have been computerized. Each sub-forum has four designated speakers. Conference manuals have been produced. Provision of accommodation for 1,500 visitors, conference management, news coverage and a trade exhibition are all proceeding smoothly.

"We are confident we will present a safe congress," Huang emphasized.

Chinese characteristics to feature in the foreground

"Foreign delegates will expect to see something different at this congress," said Huang. "It is the first time that most of them will have come to China or Shanghai. We will shower them with features of China from the moment they step into the congress."

He explained that the congress will comprise a delegates' gathering and an array of sub-forums covering a wide variety of topics. Votes on a series of proposals will be cast on the first session day. "In the past, the ballot paper was simply a card, but at this congress, we will pull off a coup in providing a delicate Chinese fan imprinted with the FIT logo to replace the voting card. And at the same time, the fan can be used to ward off the scorching August heat," Huang explained.

"But such details are only a flavor of the whole event. We will go out of our way to explore the depth of Chinese culture," continued Huang. "As an example, we will put on a spectacle called ‘Shanghai Night' by some of our top artists to highlight such elements of Chinese culture as Peking Opera and folk dancing."

"To cater for the variety of cultural backgrounds, the repertoire will include a sand painting performance – producing different artistic images familiar to the foreign visitors," he added.

According to Mr. Huang, the congress manual will contain a brief introduction to China and Shanghai. Additionally, a series of book exhibitions will be on display at the congress as part of the program to introduce China to the foreign attendees. The attendees will also be given a night cruise on the Huangpu River in Shanghai; it will be a pleasant experience to take in the sights of the vibrant city.

The wealth of Chinese elements present in the congress will make for a captivating and worthy trip.