Slovak library honors Hudec, architect who shapes Shanghai's cityscape

Despite Hudec's international acclaim, many local residents remain unaware of his remarkable contributions to Shanghai's architectural heritage. Determined to change that, Doktorova's library has been working with local schools to ensure his story is passed on. During student excursions, staff members introduce young visitors to Hudec's life and work, emphasizing his unique role as a cultural bridge between East and West.

BRATISLAVA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- A century ago, Hungarian-born architect Ladislav Hudec fled the turmoil of World War I and found refuge in China. Settling in Shanghai in 1918, he helped shape the skyline of what would become China's largest metropolis.

Hudec designed nearly 70 buildings in Shanghai -- 27 of which are now recognized as outstanding historical landmarks. Among his iconic works are the Park Hotel, once the tallest building in Asia, the Grand Theater, the Moore Memorial Church and the wedge-shaped Wukang Building, formerly known as the Normandie Apartments.

Architectural master I.M. Pei once said that the buildings designed by Laszlo Hudec were the past, the present, and will always be a highlight of Shanghai's cityscape.

Today, in Hudec's birthplace and final resting place -- Banska Bystrica, a city nestled in central Slovakia -- his legacy lives on in an unexpected setting: a quiet room inside the State Scientific Library, just steps from where he was born.

This room is home to the "Window of Shanghai," a cultural exchange project initiated 15 years ago by the Shanghai Library in collaboration with the Slovak library. The program, which began with a simple gesture of book donations, has since evolved into a vibrant corner of Chinese culture in the heart of Europe.

"We were approached because of the Hudec connection," explained Olga Doktorova, director of the State Scientific Library in Banska Bystrica. "He may have left Slovakia as a young man, but his contribution to Shanghai is deeply respected -- and that bridge is what we aim to preserve."

The Window of Shanghai now houses 2,081 books covering diverse subjects, from history and literature to science and social issues. The collection continues to grow each year, and includes works not only in Chinese, but also in English and other languages, making the materials accessible to a broader readership.

"Some of the books are reference-only, but many are available for home borrowing," said Doktorova. "Alongside the books, we also display photographs, Chinese handicrafts, and gifts received from our Chinese partners."

The initiative's influence extends beyond library walls. Banska Bystrica is home to one of Central Europe's few bilingual secondary schools with a Chinese-language track, and the Window of Shanghai serves as a key resource hub for its students.

In addition to hosting the Shanghai collection, the State Scientific Library has collaborated with Chinese institutions on multiple fronts. It co-published a monograph on Hudec and exchanged professional materials with Chinese partners. Last October, Doktorova represented the library at the Shanghai International Library Forum, where she witnessed first-hand the city's impressive progress.

"I have visited Shanghai twice, and both times I was amazed," she said. "Even though the visits were years apart, the pace of change is extraordinary -- especially in the library sector, where technological advancements are truly inspiring."

Locally, the Slovak library has forged a long-standing partnership with the Confucius Institute at Matej Bel University, co-hosting a range of cultural programs.

Despite Hudec's international acclaim, many local residents remain unaware of his remarkable contributions to Shanghai's architectural heritage. Determined to change that, Doktorova's library has been working with local schools to ensure his story is passed on. During student excursions, staff members introduce young visitors to Hudec's life and work, emphasizing his unique role as a cultural bridge between East and West.

"We must never forget that Ladislav Hudec is a connection between Shanghai and Banska Bystrica," Doktorova said, adding that it is a legacy the city takes pride in preserving and sharing. ■