Even though the productive reception of Oriental culture is at present only marginal and has a limited impact, it should not be entirely overlooked in the study of contemporary literature. The oriental literatures have been influenced by non-Oriental (‘Occidental’) inspirations and much in the same way the Western or European literatures have come under the spell of the ‘magic’ or ‘exotic flavour’ of the Orient. Homever, these mutual interactions of the Oriental and Occidental literatures are coupled with the dialogue of tradition and modernity. This dialogue has multiple forms, it functions on many levels and with various degrees of intensity, but it certainly exists and, what is more, constitutes a remarkable contribution to the development of the literary and cultural identity of all societies.