Young writer goes from school youth to great dialogue with the country's issues

According to Lai Yingyan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Shanghai Literature, Ho Chi Minh City is similar to Shanghai in that it is concerned with the literary stories of the times, such as supporting young writers in their creative journey.

Writer Nguyen Khac Ngan Vi shares the turning point in her literary career when she participated in a writing program organized by the Shanghai Writers Association - Photo: HO LAM

On the morning of June 7, at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City, an international scientific seminar took place : Dialogue on the future of literature: Voices from Shanghai.

The program featured key figures in the publishing and literary industry in Shanghai such as: Editor-in-Chief of the literary magazine Harvest Zhong Hong Ming; Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Shanghai Literature Lai Yingyan; Vice President of the Shanghai Writers Association Bi Sheng. Writer Nguyen Khac Ngan Vi represented Vietnam...

The speakers discussed how Shanghai supports the development of literature and young writers through its publishing system and international writing programs.

Shanghai literature has a strong inheritance

According to Ms. Zhong Hong Ming, Shanghai is a port city, densely populated, always changing, and constantly developing. This is also one of the earliest cities in China to open up to international exchanges.

Therefore, the literature here has a combination of tradition and modernity, always accepting diversity. Many famous works of writers associated with this city were born such as: Phồn Hoa (Kim Vũ Trừng); Tham sac hoa đào (Vương An Ức); Dem lanh (Ba Kim)...

The speakers mentioned Ba Jin, a Shanghai writer whose life was enough to illustrate a century of Chinese literary history.

An anarchist and democratic thinker, he was the most prolific writer in Chinese literature before 1949.

Ba Kim depicted the harsh realities of feudal Chinese society, famous for classic works such as: Family, Spring, Autumn and The Trilogy of Love .

Mr. Bi Sheng said that Harvest magazine, currently edited by Ms. Zhong Hong Ming, was founded by writer Ba Jin. Along with Ms. Hong Ming, Zhou Limin, the permanent vice president of the Ba Jin Research Association, were both students of Ba Jin.

"This shows that if Shanghai literature wants to develop, it needs continuity, inheritance, and guidance between the previous generation and the next generation," said Mr. Bi Sheng.

Ms. Hong Ming said: "The generation of young writers here are like trees, nurtured by many factors. If young people are determined to pursue literature, there will be many people to help them, from family, school to society.

Prestigious universities in China pay great attention to building specialized departments and majors in creative writing or have publishing policies linked toeducation .

Speakers shared at the seminar

More than just a personal voice

As a young writer participating in the writing program organized by the Shanghai Writers Association, writer Nguyen Khac Ngan Vi said this is a useful program for young people who want to pursue a literary career:

"Not only writing, the authors also have the opportunity to exchange culture and learn from each other. The program has created a turning point in my literary career when I just signed a contract with Shanghai Literature Publishing House to publish the book Van Sac Voi Vo, scheduled to be released in China in August," she said.

During her discussions with young writers in Shanghai, Lai Yingyan found that in addition to inheriting tradition, they have creative thinking and a desire to learn and accept differences.

"They have different writing styles: serious, witty, aggressive.

Each person clearly defines their style and voice in the literary world through their writing style and words. This is very important for a young writer" - Ms. Lai Yingyan shared.

And according to Ms. Lai Yingyan, not only stopping at personal voices, young writers also hope to dialogue about social issues and the country's development history. Creating works is also a way for them to look back at their past.

Ms. Lai Yingyan believes that young writers today always want to dialogue with the country's problems.

Many young writers in Shanghai who spoke with Ms. Lai Yingyan raised their concerns: "In a homogeneous society, how can young writers express their own voice?"

"In my opinion, young writers often start to make their personal mark through stories from their own childhood and school years. Over time, with more experience, they begin to have larger dialogues with the country's issues," said Lai Yingyan.

The speakers said that famous magazines in Shanghai pay great attention to supporting young writers with valuable and promising titles.

"We are not only interested in literary works but also seek research projects that highlight hot issues of contemporary literature and will spread them to readers through the publication of magazines and anthologies," said Mr. Fang Yan, deputy editor-in-chief of Tu Nam Literature Anthology.

LAKE LAM

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nha-van-tre-di-tu-thanh-xuan-vuon-truong-den-doi-thoai-lon-voi-cac-van-de-cua-dat-nuoc-20250607102105639.htm