Back to 80: My Literary Life

Xijing People's Theater is located on North Street near the Bell Tower. It is a perfect example of integrating traditional Chinese architectural art with Western elegant architectural styles. It is also a landmark building in Xia City and a cultural symbol of the city.

Tonight, the People's Theater was packed with seats, and all 13 members of the jury were present. In addition, Palladium, as the honorary chairman of the jury, also came from Shanghai to express congratulations to the winning writer. In addition, relevant leaders of the cultural circles of Qin Province, and some writers' association council members Members also invited famous writers from Gansu, Ninh and other provinces to attend the meeting. For a time, the literary world was full of stars.

Of course, the most eye-catching thing here is the 23 shortlisted writers. Some of them were chatting and laughing with their friends sitting around, while others were being interviewed by reporters.

For example, Yu Hua, one of the youngest writers among the shortlisted writers this time, was being interviewed by a reporter from CCTV.

"Comrade Yu Hua, as one of the youngest writers shortlisted this time, how do you feel?"

At this time, Yu Hua did not have the relaxed mentality of later generations to laugh and scold the media, and seemed a little nervous:

"I am very excited at the moment. I feel very honored that my novel can be shortlisted for the first Chinese Literature Award. Of course, compared with other outstanding writers, I still have a big gap. I am here mainly to study."

"Excuse me, how did you get on the path of literature?"

"Because I have loved literature since I was a child. After I failed the college entrance examination, I became a dentist in our town. However, I did not give up on my dream and continued to read and write in my spare time."

Fang Minghua heard it while sitting on the edge.

Damn it, is what this guy said true or false?

Didn’t you say that you don’t want to go to work, you want to fish, and the royalties you earn from writing novels are all yours?

Duplicity.

Forget it, I won’t expose you anymore.

At eight o'clock sharp, the ceremony officially began.

After a series of speeches by leaders and guests, the first thing to be awarded is the Best Novel Award.

The host first briefly described the content of the five candidate works, including the judges' comments.

Yu Hua was sitting next to Fang Minghua. It could be seen that he was a little nervous.

Shi Tiesheng sat on the other side of Yu Hua. Next to him was his wife Chen Ximi. There was a wheelchair in the aisle next to him.

Seeing Yu Hua like this, he asked in a low voice: "Yu Hua, I heard that your novel is very popular for winning the award."

But Yu Hua shook his head: "Impossible, it would be good to be shortlisted."

"Then which novel do you think will win the final award?"

"Personally, I think it should be "The White Gate Willow" by Liu Sifen."

"oh"

Fang Minghua heard their conversation from the side, but didn't say anything.

As the organizer of the competition, he certainly knows the final selection results.

The best novel is this "White Gate Willow"!

Sure enough, award presenter Wang Meng read out, "The work that won the Best Novel Award for the first World Chinese Literature Award is "The White Gate Willow" by Liu Sifen!"

There was warm applause at the venue.

Liu Sifen, who is over 50 years old, was also in a suit and tie today. He stepped onto the podium, took the trophy and award certificate from Wang Meng, and gave an acceptance speech to the audience in their not-so-standard Mandarin.

Fang Minghua listened quietly below.

Although he already knew the result, he felt emotional when he saw Liu Sifen standing on the podium with an excited face.

Five years later, this work won the Mao Dun Literature Award.

Although the other novels that won the Mao Dun Award this year were overshadowed by Chen Zhongshi's "White Deer Plain", this historical novel is well written.

The Best Novella Award and Best Short Story Award were awarded immediately to Liu Zhenyun's "Chicken Feathers in a Land" and Butler's "The Fragrance of Strange Mountains" respectively.

"Fragrance from Strange Mountains", this is a translated work written by a foreign writer!

The full text of this novel has been published in the editor-in-chief's recommendation column of Yanhe, which has aroused praise from domestic literary circles and readers.

This award is also highly anticipated.

Butler appeared on the podium wearing a black suit and tie, looking excited.

Fang Minghua was also very happy at this time. Finally, an award-winning article was written by a foreigner. If it were all Chinese works, it would be too boring.

The prize for best prose was awarded next.

Soon, the guests all read out the title of the winning work, "The Temple of Earth and Me" by Shi Tiesheng!

The auditorium burst into warm applause.

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Iron Sheng!"

There was a burst of congratulations all around.

Shi Tiiesheng appeared calm. He was sitting in a wheelchair and was pushed slowly towards the podium by Chen Ximi. Finally, the staff helped to lift the podium.

Shi Tiesheng delivered his acceptance speech and talked about literature.

"Innovation in literature is necessary, but literature must also have something eternal. Why do people still engage in literature when they have enough food and clothing? It must be that the endless life creates endless problems for us, and the endless problems give us endless thoughts and reflections the power of.

"Once people lack the power of thinking, they will inevitably lose to computers one day. Compared with the previous generation of writers, our generation can still compete with each other."

The final award is for Best Poetry Collection.

Since the famous domestic poets Bei Dao and Gu Cheng did not return to China to attend the ceremony due to various reasons, this award ceremony was a bit regretful for poetry lovers.

Fortunately, two famous poets were present.

One is the 64-year-old Taiwanese poet Love, the oldest among the shortlisted writers, and the other is Haizi, the youngest among the shortlisted writers this year.

The oldest and youngest ones all appeared in the poetry group, which can’t help but surprise people.

Soon, the award presenters announced the Best Poetry Award for this Literature Award: "Haizi's Selected Short and Medium Poems"!

Haizi stood up and appeared in everyone's sight.

Compared with young poets such as Bei Dao Gu Cheng, Haizi became famous relatively late, especially in recent years, little news about him has been heard.

Some people say that he, like other poets, has gone abroad.

Some say he has committed suicide.

Some people said that he had gone crazy and was imprisoned in a lunatic asylum.

Today, Haizi stood on the podium, facing the camera lens, and the way many readers looked at him in front of the TV.

Peaceful, with a hint of a smile.

"I am very happy today to stand on this stage and receive the trophy and certificate from Mr. Yu." Haizi said his acceptance speech into the microphone.

"First of all, I would like to thank the members of the jury and the staff of the organizing committee for their hard work. At the same time, I am even more grateful to Minghua, Xichuan, Yihe and other friends for pulling me back from the brink of death, because at that time I wanted to van gogh."

The guests in the audience immediately started talking after hearing this.

Van Gogh committed suicide!

He shot himself due to mental problems.

It seems that some of the rumors in the poetry world are true.

"I survived and am living very well now. Unfortunately, our poet from Yanda, Gomer, who was also my friend, committed suicide on September 24 last year (1991)."

Gomer is dead? !

Fang Minghua suddenly remembered this person in the poetry world.

Compared with Haizi, Gome is not familiar.

Historically, after Haizi's death, his poetry became popular and he was gradually understood by future generations, but Gomer remained unknown.

Haizi on the stage was still talking about Gomer's evaluation, seeming to have forgotten that this was an acceptance speech.

"All of his works give me a familiar feeling: hardness, stubbornness, sadness, love. I have always believed that Gomer is one of the best poets I have ever met. I envy his unparalleled talent, and I am even more jealous of him. A clear life, so today, I take this opportunity to mourn my deceased friend - Gomer."

After saying this, Haizi bowed and got off the podium.

This time, there was no applause from the audience.

Afterwards, Haizi approached Fang Minghua: "Minghua, I'd like to ask you to help publish a collection of Gomer's poems, can you?"

"Okay." Fang Minghua said.