Peruvian-Spanish writer Mario Vargas Llosa, a 2010 Nobel laureate in literature, delivered a keynote speech in Beijing on June 17 during his first official visit to the country.

The speech attracted an audience of more than 1,000 composed of researchers, embassy workers, students, writers and literature lovers to the hall at China Academy of Social Sciences.

Llosa was named an Honorary Research Fellow of the academy before giving the speech. The 75-year-old writer said he hopes to live up to the expectations and the standards which come with such an honor.

In the speech, Llosa detailed his first trip to China 15 years ago and followed with a description his literary explorations as a 5-year-old.

He confirmed the vital role literature plays in a vastly diversified world, saying, "Literature is the bridge that connects different places and cultures. And it elevates readers from a limited world into a grander one."

Llosa arrived in Beijing on June 16 after a visit to Shanghai. He'll return home June 20.

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Building cultural bridges through language

 

Story: Mei Jia

Video: Lou Yi

Voiceover: Xing Xudong

Producer: Flora Yue