On March 28, 1951, the People's Literature Publishing House was established, and the new Chinese literature publishing business began here; today, the People's Literature Publishing House ushered in its 71st birthday.
On this particularly important day, we specially published a report published in the People's Daily (August 17, 1951), which was the official announcement of the establishment of the People's Literature Publishing House and reflected the high expectations placed by the party and the state on the People's Literature Publishing House. In this way, I also pay tribute to the predecessors of the Humanities Society, to all the writers and readers who support the Humanities Society, and to the excellent works!
People's Daily August 17, 1951, 3rd edition
Cultural life dynamics
The People's Literature Publishing House began to publish books
The state-run People's Literature Publishing House was established in Beijing in March this year. The society is jointly led by the Ministry of Culture of the Central People's Government and the General Administration of Publication of the Central People's Government, and the president is the writer Feng Xuefeng. The editorial policy of the society will focus on modern literature, followed by Chinese folk literature, classical literature, and foreign literature. Regarding modern literature, several series of books are mainly published: Chinese literature and art series, literary and art construction series, etc. In addition, excellent works will be selected and reprinted from the books already existing in local publishing units, with special attention to the selection and printing of popular literary works; in addition, there will be a planned and step-by-step publication of mainland classical works or foreign masterpieces. In terms of foreign literature, it is currently mainly the work of progressive writers in the Soviet Union, the new democratic countries and the capitalist countries. First of all, the editing and publishing of the Soviet literary and art series was carried out, which was jointly carried out by the society and the Times Publishing House. Famous books that have been published by Sanlian or Xinhua Bookstore in the past, such as "How Steel is Made" and "Young Guards", will be re-proofread and reprinted.
Feng Xuefeng, founding president of the People's Literature Publishing House
A series of books on classical Chinese literature
"Three Series of Books" compilation plan
How Steel is Made, People's Literature Publishing House, first edition in 1952
In 1974, Sun Shengwu, Wang Jiajun and Wang Zhiliang went to Daqing, Heilongjiang to engage in "three combinations".
Wrote the foreword to "How Steel is Made" and took a group photo with Daqing workers
The Society also drew up plans for the publication of several anthologies, including qu qiubai anthology, a four-volume total of 1.5 million words, which could be published before the end of the year. The compilation and publication of Lu Xun's works has been carried out by the leadership of the society. This year, some of the monographs will be printed first. The work of annotating Lu Xun's writings has now begun, but it will not be published until next year. Another important task of the People's Literature Publishing House is to prepare for the establishment of a special agency for the compilation of Gorky's works this winter or next spring, and to systematically review, revise, or retranslate. At present, the magazines published by the society include: "Literature and Art Daily", "People's Literature", "People's Liberation Army Literature and Art", "Rap Singing", "Folk Literature and Art Collection" and so on.
1958 Edition of The Complete Works of Lu Xun (10 volumes)
The company has recently published more than ten new books, including "Happy Remembrance" (Xu Guangping) and "For a Happy Tomorrow" (Bai Lang).
"Gratifying Remembrance" (by Xu Guangping)
Copyright page of "Remembrance of Relief", beijing first edition in July 1951
"For a Happy Tomorrow" (by Bai Lang)
Copyright page for a Happy Tomorrow, beijing first edition in July 1951
The People's Literature Publishing House plans to publish about 100 books this year. In general, the books and periodicals published by the society in the future will be carefully examined and precisely corrected; whether in terms of content or arrangement, they will try their best to be error-free and become a relatively complete publication. The establishment and work of this publishing institution will give a good impetus to the development of the national literary publishing industry.