Mo Yan shares insights into literary creation on Inaugural International Forum for History and Civilization
The Inaugural International Forum for History and Civilization was held at the Univerisity of Hong Kong today (Nov. 28).
Mo Yan, the 2012 Nobel Prize laureate in Literature, shared his views and insights on literary creation. With his characteristic humor and depth, he elaborated on the importance of literary advancement for the development of civilization and expressed optimism about the future of Chinese literature.
He mentioned that his initial motivation for writing novels was inspired by the works of authors like Faulkner and García Márquez, realizing that he could also attempt such writing styles.
He further pointed out that in the context of globalization, for Chinese literature to secure a place on the world literary stage, it must innovate and surpass while inheriting tradition. He emphasized that only by forming a literary style with Chinese characteristics can the prosperity of Chinese culture be sustained and accepted by the world.
When discussing the Xungen Movement (literally referred to as Root-seeking Movement) in literature, he mentioned the simple and concise style of Wang Zengqi's novels, as well as the distinctive language style and influence of Chinese classical philosophy found in Ah Cheng's "The Chess Master" (also translated as "The King of Chess"). He used these examples to illustrate the process of continuous innovation within Chinese literature as it evolves through tradition.
He also shared his own creative experiences, particularly the background of writing "Red Sorghum". He noted that this work was created after extensive research into historical and cultural materials, which reflects his profound understanding of history and culture.
He specifically pointed out that 1985 was a significant year for the emergence of talented Chinese writers, which had a profound impact on the development of Chinese literature. At the same time, he encouraged young writers to innovate and promote the essence of Chinese civilization.
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