Stone, culture and time

Author: Zhang Suihua
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-09-01
Features: "Messenger" Essence Series is a collection of books that combines cultural sophistication with readability, covering various aspects of human life and truly reflecting the magazine's commitment to seeking objective truth, freely exchanging ideas, and promoting cultural dissemination. The rich knowledge, sound concepts, and innovative thinking it contains will undoubtedly inspire readers. The series is divided into 12 volumes based on different themes or fields, including "World Famous Personalities," "Gods, Totems, and Beliefs," "Changes in the Media," "Urban Labyrinth," "A Century of Cinema," "Lonely Journey Across the World," "The Star Cluster of Humanity," "The Path to Freedom," "The Great Revolution and Utopia," "Yesterday and Today in the Family," "Stone, Culture, and Time," and "The Light of Art."
The contributors to this magazine are world-renowned experts and scholars in their respective fields, ensuring its authoritative nature. Despite being written by esteemed authors, the content is accessible and engaging, free from academic jargon, making it thought-provoking yet captivating to read. More significantly, the same themes are often written by authors from different countries and cultures, offering readers diverse perspectives. For example, different attitudes toward family across cultures, varying views on art, especially modern art, distinct opinions on the French Revolution and human utopian ideals, differing understandings of media functions, and contrasting views on the relationship between "sovereignty" and "human rights" highlight the diversity of culture and thought, a unique strength of "Messenger" that no other publication can match.
Founded by UNESCO, "Messenger" magazine has a 54-year history and is published in 28 languages. The Chinese edition of "Messenger" was launched in July 1980, translated and published in Beijing by China Foreign Translation and Publishing Company under the commission of UNESCO. As a major international publication, "Messenger" faithfully upholds UNESCO's principles, persistently seeking objective truth and promoting the free exchange of ideas and knowledge, while committed to the broad dissemination of culture. It effectively advocates for justice, freedom, and peace, educating and enlightening a wide readership. "Messenger" extensively addresses various issues in human society, spanning numerous scientific disciplines, fostering a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of humanity and mutual appreciation through its rich knowledge, sound concepts, and innovative thinking.
Given the importance, seriousness, knowledgeability, and readability of "Messenger," we have now selected the essence of translations from its Chinese edition over the 21 years since its launch, compiling them into a series to reach a broader audience. The series is divided into 12 volumes based on major themes or different fields, carefully curated to authentically reflect the spirit of "Messenger." Over the past 21 years, the translators we invited have devoted significant effort to the Chinese edition of "Messenger," and we sincerely express our gratitude to them.
Due to financial difficulties, UNESCO has decided to cease publication of "Messenger" starting in 2002, and the Chinese edition has accordingly been discontinued. This series we are launching is a tribute and summary of the Chinese edition of "Messenger," but we hope it is not the final chapter. May the "messenger" of human peace and freedom always be with us!