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What you just heard is a famous saying by the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, presented in both Chinese and Persian. In English, it translates to, learning without thought is labour lost. Thought without learning is perilous, which emphasises the vital connection between study and contemplation. This quote resonated deeply with Essan Dosto-Muhammadi, an Iranian sinologist whose translated version of the Analects has recently been published in Iran. Composed of Confucius' teachings, this classic text has been translated into over 40 languages worldwide, and Essan is one of the devoted translators who have extended its legacy far beyond China. For me, this saying of Confucius, along with many others about filipiety, people-oriented philosophy and benevolence are very precious. They're still relevant in today's global context, as many of these ideas embody values that transcend time, ethnicity and era. Having spent more than 15 years in China, Essan has demonstrated a strong passion for fostering cross-cultural exchanges. Last year, he received the Special Book Award of China, the country's highest honour for foreigners in the field of publishing. Located in the southwestern part of China, Xingqing is renowned for its stunning mountainous landscapes, spicy cuisine and rich cultural heritage. Here, Essan has established his family and is actively involved in teaching, research and translation. Growing up in Tehran, Essan developed an interest in traditional medicine during his school years. He recalls that an incident involving one of his closest friends sparked his curiosity about traditional Chinese medicine, commonly known as TCM. At that time, his friend suffered a serious injury that left his hand dysfunctional. After months of acupuncture therapy, a practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, he made an incredible recovery. Witnessing the effects of TCM treatment inspired Essan to explore the subject further. Originally majoring in computer software engineering, the Iranian young man felt a pull towards a different path. In 2009, he moved to China to pursue his education in TCM, setting him on an entirely new life trajectory. However, the journey was far from easy. The first barrier was undoubtedly the language. Imagine starting from zero. The first step was to learn the language. That's the most fundamental part. Since I was taking classes alongside local Chinese students, my language skills, the good for a foreigner, were still just the basics. On top of that, I had to memorize various formulas, herbal medicines, and ancient texts. The whole process was filled with challenges and difficulties. But fortunately, I had a strong interest and a clear goal. Otherwise, it could have been tedious, and many might not have been able to persist. Essan spent two years studying in Shanghai before moving to Shandong Province, where he delved deeper into his studies and earned a doctorate in TCM. Known as the hometown of the Chinese philosophers Confucius and Mencius, the region provided him with a rich cultural atmosphere steeped in ancient Chinese philosophy. As his understanding and appreciation for traditional Chinese culture flourished, it fueled his desire to play a part in Sino-Iranian cultural exchange. According to Essan, the Iranian people are not total strangers to Chinese philosophical works. Actually, the earliest translated versions of the Analects can be traced back some 50 years. But the problem is, many of these translations originated from other languages. Before coming to China, I had encountered some Chinese classic texts, including Tao Te Ching and the Analects. In Iran, while there were translated versions, many were not directly translated from Chinese. Instead, they were translated from a third language such as German or English. This realization inspired him to translate Chinese classics directly into Persian so that more Iranian readers can have a better understanding of China and its intellectual traditions. He started with Huangdi Neijing, also known as the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, one of the earliest and most important written works of TCM. The text comprises two parts, covering various aspects of medicine and serving as a key reference for TCM practitioners. It took Essan nearly six years to translate the first part. During the six years, I spent five years working on the translation almost every day. This book is quite academic and encompasses many concepts related to ancient Chinese philosophy, astronomy and others. I had to refer to extensive resources for a better and more accurate translation. The sinologist didn't stop there. He went on to translate other Chinese classics on Confucianism and Taoism. Some of his Persian translations, including The Works of Mencius and The Great Learning, are being published in Iran for the first time. Essan believes that these classics play an essential role in the exchange of ideas throughout human history. Traditional Chinese culture, represented by Confucianism, possesses remarkable vitality. Confucius' ideas, such as placing the people at the core, are fundamentally important for national governance. The fact that these concepts emerged in their historical context speaks to their advancement. These values are timeless and hold significance across different eras. Even after 2,500 years, we are still able to resonate with his teachings, not only for those who have a background in Chinese culture, but also for those who encounter them in translation. Since 2020, China has been collaborating with other Asian countries on a mutual translation project of Asian Classics, and Iran is one of the partner nations. The initiative aims to help people in Asia better understand and appreciate each other's cultures and build a platform for mutual learning. As part of the project, Essan took the lead in translating three Chinese classics into Persian. The Chinese government places great importance on its culture. Promoting traditional culture has always been the priority, and there have been many practical initiatives in this regard. Take the mutual translation and publication of Ancient Classics program as an example. It's not just about translating Chinese texts and books into foreign languages. It also involves bringing in excellent foreign works. This dual approach embodies the essence of mutual exchange rather than a one-sided process. I believe the Chinese government has done a great job in this area. At many levels, whether in foreign publishing initiatives or other aspects, we can see this commitment. The support and recognition for our efforts as foreign translators also stem from its emphasis on valuing the exchange of civilizations. Reflecting on his experiences, Essan observes an interesting phenomenon. A translator's work can vary significantly across different phases. Sometimes, when he reviews his earlier translations, he finds himself gaining fresh insights. Many renowned scholars of Confucianism also share this experience. For example, Yang Bojun, a senior editor with Zhonghua Book Company, is the author of what is often regarded as the best annotated version of The Analects. He has passed away, but he published different editions of The Analects and the works of Mencius. I've compared his earliest versions with the more recent ones, and there are significant differences. The same person, the same book, yet he interpreted it differently at various stages of his life. Essan believes that's the charm of the classics, and his work is more than just converting words. It's about preserving the essence of original text and making it accessible to a wider audience. These books are released in both print and electronic formats. Based on our statistics, though the Iranian market is rather small compared to other countries, the reception of these Chinese classics is quite promising. On a personal note, Essan is married to a Chinese woman, and they have two lovely children. For him, starting his own family in this land has deepened his sense of attachment. Over the years of living in China, he is continually impressed by the country's development. He recalls his college years in Shanghai when he rented an apartment nearby and walked to the campus every day. At that time, a giant bridge was being built, and he witnessed firsthand the rapid pace of infrastructure construction with each passing day. He says this development is not limited to urban areas. Rural regions have also seen significant improvements. In many countries, there is often an imbalance in development between big cities and rural regions. But during my last visit to Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, I noticed that both the northern and southern parts of the region have developed quite well. The changes since my first visit there were remarkable. I previously translated a book on poverty alleviation in China, and the achievements described are unique in human history and are recognized globally. It's a huge project, and it represents a monumental effort that contributes significantly to human development. The progress made in poverty alleviation in such a short time, along with other initiatives like rural revitalization and targeted poverty alleviation, has produced remarkable results. Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, Iran has become an important partner for China. In the healthcare sector, Ehsan has noticed that traditional Chinese medicine gradually gained recognition in his home country. Firstly, TCM was legalized in Iran. The Iranian Ministry of Health introduced clinical guidelines for 10 TCM practices, including cupping, acupuncture, and massage. This standardization helped to formalize many TCM practices at the national level and marked the first acknowledgement of TCM in the Middle East. Also, those who study TCM in China are recognized when they return home. They can acquire medical license and practice medicine. In the past few years, many countries have gradually integrated TCM into their healthcare systems to varying degrees. It shows that they have found TCM to be effective and scientifically valid in many ways. Ehsan is currently busy with multiple translation projects. He believes in the power of mutual learning and is happy to contribute to that effort. The mutual learning among civilizations relies on mutual understanding. In the process of learning about each other's cultures, we uncover similarities, which can strengthen the bonds between people and serve as a bridge for communication. By examining Chinese culture from an Iranian perspective, I often find inspiration and discover commonalities between two cultures. I'd like to bring these to more Iranian people so that we can deepen their communication and exchange in many aspects. Thank you so much for listening. If you're interested in hearing more about the lives of ordinary but incredible people in China, follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time, bye for now.