Library run by retiree brings Chinese culture to Barcelona

BARCELONA — The Chinese Library of Barcelona, located in Hospitalet de Llobregat, seeks to introduce the residents of the city to Chinese culture as part of a unique initiative in northeastern Spain.

It was set up by Ma Xuefeng, who has lived in the city for the last six years, and who spent her retirement savings setting up the library, which offers a free lending service. It took her two years to build the library's collection, importing books directly from China, and it is the first Chinese-language library in Barcelona.

"After I moved to Spain, I noticed that there are few Chinese books here," Ma says. She expresses her hope that the library would provide an opportunity for Chinese children and local residents alike to explore and appreciate Chinese culture.

Ma's inspiration to start the library stemmed from her admiration for the classic Spanish novel Don Quixote. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she compiled a Chinese translation in 64 notebooks over 443 days, which are now displayed in the library.

Carlos Gonzalez, a Barcelona resident, expresses his fascination with Chinese culture. He says that there is limited exposure to Chinese culture locally, which is why he'd like to visit China and experience its culture and lifestyle firsthand.

Leveraging his language skills in Chinese, Spanish and Catalan, 10-year-old Yixuan Wu volunteers at the library while enjoying access to his favorite books. "I became a volunteer here when they opened the library because I like Chinese books and we don't have many in Spain. I come here to read books in Chinese," he says.

Ma is optimistic about the library's future, saying that with everyone's help, it will continue to improve. She made a point of highlighting the fact that the collection also includes Spanish literature translated into Chinese, which will allow Chinese readers to learn about Spain, and foster cultural exchange between China and Spain.

There are approximately 4,000 residents of Chinese descent in Hospitalet de Llobregat, part of the 54,000-strong Chinese community in the Barcelona area. Ma hopes her library will serve as a gateway for them to connect to their cultural roots.