Travel diary

Author: Ai Qing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: This is not the kind of diary people usually imagine. It consists of notes, scattered essays, (random thoughts), and fragments of poetry. It is poetic—casual, (jumping), concise, and vivid—making it a unique style. In the summer of 1954, Ai Qing accepted an invitation from the Speaker of the Chilean Chamber of Deputies to travel to Chile to participate in the 50th birthday celebration of poet Pablo Neruda, an event aimed at "defending world peace." At that time, many influential international writers and artists gathered in Santiago, including Soviet writer Ilya Ehrenburg and Brazilian painter Jorge Amado, among others. What Ai Qing recorded in his diary were his observations and experiences during this trip from July 12 to August 19, 1954. He was accompanied by writer Xiao San and Vice Minister of the Central Liaison Department, Zhao Yimin. This is a relatively private travel record. In light of the atmosphere and environment of the era in which the author lived, one can faintly discern the image of a poet who was not swept away by the tide of the times, an artist whose art had not yet been completely replaced by politics. Ai Qing may not have expected this diary to be published publicly, as he wrote it spontaneously, with fragmented thoughts, lacking the rhetoric, continuity, and logical relationships usually emphasized in written expression. However, the intuitive judgments, even those at a subconscious level, often reveal their essence more authentically. This is particularly important for a poet. The diary was written in 1954, and it has been exactly 50 years since then. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of Neruda's birth. The timely publication of this book seems almost destined, serving as a tribute to the two poets.