Chinese Writer Archives Series --

Author: Jia Pingwa
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-05-01
Features: "The Series of Archives of Chinese Writers" is not merely a collection of documents for preservation and reference. It is not a chronological record of literary figures arranged hierarchically from the early 20th century onwards. While such an approach may be safe, it lacks vitality. If literary works are reduced to the significance of museum exhibits, then they cease to be living literature. Therefore, we focus on readers and the present, cutting in from the current moment, specifically starting with the most active and popular writers of today. This process expands like ripples, combining expert approval with readers' favor, releasing a series of outstanding, uniquely distinctive, and highly influential selected works by these writers.
Said to be selected works, yet they differ from the conventional sense of "selected works." It is not simply to present a few selected pieces to the readers and call it a day. In our collection, each writer is accompanied by 20 significant photographs from their childhood to the present—where visual intuition surpasses the reach of words. There is one piece of their first work, one of their breakthrough works, one of their representative works, one of their most influential or controversial works, as well as multiple works since the beginning of the new century. Additionally, there is an excerpt from a recent interview with the writer, along with an impressionistic account written through the eyes of others. All of this is fascinating—it’s like pressing on a few key points, and the writer’s profile comes alive. When one writer comes alive, how can a long stretch of literary history fail to come alive? Fundamentally speaking, the history of literature is the history of individual writers and their works.
Thus, "The Series of Archives of Chinese Writers" can be considered an important undertaking for the literary world and publishing industry at the dawn of the new century. At this turning point of the century, people feel compelled to look back at history and look forward to the future, and the literary world is no exception. Some attempt to establish "classics," seeking to freeze history in their hands during the 20th century; others curate "100 Great Chinese Novels," aiming to leave behind an authoritative bibliography for history; and some are keen to promote "masters," using individuals to represent the history, analyzing the times through the lens of figures, and striving to paint a scene of towering peaks in full bloom. All of these activities hold significance.
However, the Creative Research Department of the Chinese Writers' Association has no intention of joining the "classicization" camp. Instead, it decides to adopt the "Series of Archives of Chinese Writers" as a way to summarize the evolving literary landscape. In the face of history, we neither want to hastily pass judgment nor rush to make ultimate determinations. Our focus lies in showcasing, showcasing the profound footprints left by numerous writers.