Göran Malmqvist, Dies Aged 95

Hello Gentle Reader

Over a week ago it was announced and come to everyone’s attention that the Swedish Academy’s member, literary historian, translator, and resident sinologist Göran Malmqvist had died at the age of 95. In comparison to the surprised and unfortunate death of Sara Danius, former member and former Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy; the reaction surrounding Göran Malmqvist’s passing was quiet. Notices of course were delivered, obituaries published, and the Swedish Academy made a statement in itself regarding the academics passing. The death of Göran Malmqvist is of course a monumental blow to the Swedish Academy, especially if the academy’s renewed goal is to take a more ‘global perspective,’ with regards to the Nobel Prize for Literature, as Malmqvist was an essential in-house bridge between the Swedish Academy and Chinese language and literature. Of course this niche position did have its fair share of controversies; as in the case of Mo Yan’s Nobel. Regardless, the vacancy of Chair No. 5, due to Göran Malmqvist will mean the Swedish Academy will not be at full capacity by next year—unless they find a suitable replacement before December 20^th. Even then though, the incumbent who takes the seat of Chair No. 5 will have a lengthy shadow in which to settle into, and hopefully grow out of. Göran Malmqvist will be a difficult act to follow, his position as the resident sinologist and leading expert on Chinese literature and language, will impair the Swedish Academy, as they will be forced to see external expertise with no political biases or motivations. Beyond his career and renown in the Swedish Academy, Göran Malmqvist was an accomplished academic who taught Chinese language and literature all over the world, including University of London, Australian National University in Canberra, and of course Stockholm University, where the academic was able to create a field of study attuned to his interests: Contemporary Chinese Language and Literature. It is in this time that Malmqvist begun to translate works of contemporary Chinese writers into Swedish. Looking beyond his academic career, Göran Malmqvist was a diplomat in China, serving as a cultural commissioner. China had often praised as being a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

Thank-you CY for informing me of Göran Malmqvist death; I do apologize for the delay it has taken me to comment on it.

Rest in Peace Göran Malmqvist

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary