On May 12, an event was held at the Capital Hotel in Beijing to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of German poet and playwright Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805).

Organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Chinese Writers' Association (CWA), speakers spoke highly of Schiller's contributions to literature and society.

CPAFFC Chairman Chen Haosu, CASS General-Secretary Zhu Jinchang, former Chinese Ambassador to Germany Mei Zhaorong and the German Ambassador Dr. Volker Stanzel joined over 200 Chinese Schiller fans at the ceremony.

Stanzel said Schiller was a historian and philosopher as well as a literary figure. He also spoke of the significance of the spirit of Schiller in an era of globalization.

Ye Tingfang, chairman of the Chinese Research Association of German Literature, made the keynote speech and Professor Yan Baoyu of Peking University's German Language Department recited Schiller's Ode to Joy (Ode an die Freude) in both Chinese and German.

After the ceremony and speeches, some of Schiller's works, including Turandot, were performed.

Schiller died at the age of 47 of tuberculosis on May 9, 1805. He is well known in China through his works The Robbers (Die Räuber), Intrigue and Love (Kabale und Liebe) and William Tell (Wilhelm Tell).

The German government launched Friedrich Schiller Year on January 12 to recognize his work and legacy.

(China.org.cn by Li Yafang and Wind Gu, May 16, 2005)