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Xu Guangyao, "Plain Fire"
"Little Soldier Zhang Ga"
A symposium on the publication of the collector's edition was held in Beijing.
Mr. Xu Guangyao, who is ninety-six years old
Video was recorded for the meeting to participate online.
The meeting invited Yan Jingming, vice chairman of the China Writers Association, and other famous writers, critics and scholars to discuss the literary achievements, creative characteristics, personality spirit and important works of the famous veteran writer Xu Guangyao, "Plain Fire" and "Little Soldier Zhang Ga". The conference also specially invited Xu Guangyao's son and filmmaker Xu Dan to participate in the theme dialogue. The forum was presided over by Li Hongqiang, editor-in-chief of the People's Literature Publishing House.
A striking presence in anti-war literature
Tie Ning, chairman of the Chinese Writers Association, once said: "Xu Guangyao's name is a striking presence in the literature of the War of Resistance. "Plain Fire" is the first novel to reflect the War of Resistance Against Japan, which was officially published after the founding of the People's Republic of China and caused great repercussions, presenting readers with a group portrait of the military and people of Jizhong fighting bravely, showing the spirit of the military and people of Jizhong who hate each other and are not afraid of life and death.
The popular "Little Soldier Zhang Ga" is not only a treasure of Chinese children's literature, but also a wonder in the garden of contemporary literature, first published in 1961, and published in a single edition the following year. After its release, the work has been deeply loved by a wide range of readers, and has so far the total circulation of a single book has exceeded 10 million copies, and together with the film of the same name, it has influenced and inspired generations.
Xu Guangyao once said that in literary writing, writers should not only care about their personal hearts, but also pay attention to the fate of the times and the country, reflecting the "big life". Xu Guangyao, with his rafters, with his literary record of the history of Beacon Fire, and with the many heroic images he has created, has provided an important carrier for future generations to remember revolutionary history and inherit the revolutionary spirit.
The guest dialogue session was divided into the first and second half, and the guests had a heated discussion and sharing of Xu Guangyao's personal text.
Li Yan, a member of the Party Group of China Publishing Group and general manager of China Edition Media Co., Ltd., said in his speech that Xu Guangyao is an evergreen tree in the Chinese literary world, and since the publication of the first literary works in 1947, he has continued to contribute to the Chinese literary circles for more than 70 years, and many works have caused important repercussions. He expressed his admiration for Xu Guangyao's feelings of home and country and literary achievements, and expressed his sincere gratitude to Xu Guangyao for his decades-long trust on behalf of the China Publishing Group.
Zang Yongqing, president of the People's Literature Publishing House, said in his speech that "Plain Fire" is the "book of opening the society" and also the "book of honor" of the Humanities Society; "Little Soldier Zhang Ga" has also been printed for nearly 70 editions (times) since the new edition of the Humanities Society was published, providing important support for the majority of readers, especially children and young people, to remember history and look forward to the future. In the important year of 2021, the archival editions of "Plain Fire" and "Little Soldier Zhang Ga" were launched, which not only continued the established publishing ideas of the Humanistic Society to carry forward the revolutionary historical tradition, but also enriched the cultural life of readers. He hopes that Mr. Xu Guangyao and all readers and friends will like this new version.
Xu Guangyao, who is 96 years old, recorded a video for the meeting. He said that "Plain Fire" is the first book published by the People's Literature Publishing House, which is his honor. Since then, he and the Humanities Society have become old friends, and "Little Soldier Zhang Ga" was later submitted to the Humanities Society for publication. These two books are loved by people, and the Humanities Society has done a lot of work. In order to commemorate the special fate of "Plain Fire" and the Humanities Society, he is willing to hand over the lifelong copyright of the book to the Humanities Society, so as to contribute to the development of the Humanities Society and the cause of Chinese literature.
Editor-in-Chief Li Hongqiang expressed three views in the summary. First, Xu Guangyao became a soldier at the age of thirteen and wrote "Plain Fire" at the age of thirty-four, a writer who came down from the battlefield, and the realism of war was the greatest realism for him, so he could write such a work. Second, whether the work is good or not, the key lies in whether people like to see it or not, and whether it can leave people with memories. "Plain Fire" and "Little Soldier Zhang Ga" have affected so many people, which is the simplest and most basic standard of good. Both works are of great value, both in terms of literary history and national memory. Third, the spiritual strength of that generation of writers, including the Chinese wisdom embodied in the simplest and most simple peasants, and the sense of strength, are very touching. This is not only the reason why the work can be passed on for a long time, but also deserves the eternal taste and attention of future generations.
Text/Guangzhou Daily, New Flower City Reporter: Wu Bo
Photo/ Guangzhou Daily, Xinhuacheng reporter: Wu Bo
Video/Guangzhou Daily Xinhuacheng Reporter: Wu Bo
Correspondent: Li Ran
Guangzhou Daily New Flower City Editor: Zhang Suqin