Remembering a Literary Giant: Celebrations Mark the 120th Anniversary ofBa Jin’s Birth
Chengdu, China – 2024marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of renowned Chinese writer Ba Jin, a literary giant whose works have left an indelible mark on modern Chinese literature.To commemorate his legacy, a series of events titled Tribute to the Master: Ba Jin have been launched in Chengdu, the city where Ba Jin spent hisformative years.
The festivities, organized by the Sichuan Writers Association, kicked off with a grand opening ceremony at the Ba Jin Literary Institute on October 18th. The event drew a distinguished gathering of literary figures from across China, includingprominent writers, critics, and scholars. Among the attendees were Shi Zhanjun, member of the Chinese Writers Association (CWA) Party Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat, Ale, Vice Chairman of the CWA and Chairman of the Sichuan Writers Association, andJidi Majia, former Vice Chairman of the CWA and renowned poet.
Ba Jin’s nephew, 95-year-old writer and publisher Li Zhi, also graced the occasion, arriving in a wheelchair accompanied by his daughter.
The series of events include a Writers’ Calligraphyand Painting Exhibition at the Ba Jin Memorial Hall, a symposium titled The Literary Spirit of Ba Jin, and a special gathering titled Sichuan Writers, Welcome Home. These initiatives aim to provide a multi-faceted exploration of Ba Jin’s literary works and his enduring legacy.
A Legacy Rooted in Sichuan
Ba Jin was born in Chengdu in 1904 and spent the first 19 years of his life in the city. In his opening remarks, Ale emphasized the significance of Sichuan in shaping Ba Jin’s literary journey. Sichuan modern literature had a magnificent beginning, he said, with two youngmen who studied in France (Li Jie Ren and Ba Jin) returning to China imbued with knowledge and a profound understanding of literature and other social and humanistic sciences. They used this knowledge to reflect on the realities of their time, writing about the era in epic works. Li Jie Ren created Dead Water Ripples, Before the Storm, and The Big Wave, while Ba Jin penned the Turbulent Stream trilogy – Home, Spring, and Autumn. These works deeply reflected the social realities of Sichuan during that era.
A Lasting Impact on Literature and Society
Shi Zhanjun, member of the CWA Party Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat, and editor-in-chief of People’s Literature, highlighted the enduring influence of Ba Jin’s works. He emphasized the importance of Ba Jin’s self-reflection and his commitment to social justice, stating that the firmness of Lu Xun and the self-examination of Ba Jin are an ever-present literary education.
The Tribute to the Master: Ba Jin series of events serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Ba Jin, a writer whose works continue to resonate with readers across generations. His exploration of social issues, his unwavering commitment to truth and justice, andhis profound understanding of human nature have left an indelible mark on Chinese literature and society. As these events unfold, they offer a valuable opportunity to revisit Ba Jin’s literary universe and appreciate the enduring power of his words.
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