Chinese Cultural Figures Remember Their Mothers

Author: Deng Jiuping, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-01-01
Features: At the turn of the millennium, as Macau followed Hong Kong in returning to the embrace of its motherland, a poem titled "Song of the Seven Sons" struck the hearts of all overseas Chinese. Who does not have their own mother? Comparing the motherland to a mother is an elevation of this love. And the genuine love for one's own mother is a natural and profound emotion in human nature. In a sense, this emotion is the foundation of all truth, goodness, and beauty in the world. However, at the turn of the century, amidst the market-oriented transformation of social and economic life, people were shocked to see how far "money" and "greed" could corrupt people: not one, but multiple cases of young people killing their mothers were reported, with the cruelty of the methods leaving people appalled and heartbroken. At the same time, the distorted "exam-oriented education" forced some parents to harm their children out of the desire to see them succeed. In the face of extreme incidents and the widespread indifference in human relationships, it becomes all the more necessary to sing the praises of maternal love and call for family bonds. The newly released series "Chinese Cultural Figures Remember Their Mothers" by Tongxin Publishing House was born out of this shared understanding. It embodies the publishers' concern for society and the younger generation. The renowned scholar Ji Xianlin wrote the preface for the series, saying: "In this vast world, love takes many forms, but the pure, selfless, and unrequited love that is almost instinctual—this is 'motherly love.' 'Every person, the moment they are born, experiences love as motherly love. It is the mother who tells them that the world is not bleak but filled with warmth.' In his famous prose piece 'The Eternal Regret,' Mr. Ji Xianlin also wrote: 'No matter what reputation, status, happiness, or honor one may have in the world, it cannot compare to being by one's mother's side—even if she cannot read a single character, even if she eats 'reds' all day (note: refers to sorghum cakes).' The series includes articles by over 200 scholars, writers, and artists. Organized in chronological order, it spans from the cultural masters born at the end of the last century, such as Hu Shi, Guo Moruo, and Feng Youlan, to the emerging literary talents of the 1960s of this century. All, with a deep sense of gratitude, have written moving essays about their mothers. Covering nearly a century, they share the warmth of 'spring sunshine' from various perspectives of social life. Everyone can tell a story about their mother, and every story is touching. But let us listen to the stories of the 'cultural figures,' perhaps they can better reflect the history of the nation, the progress of the times, and the light of the human soul. The stories of mothers continue to be told, and the stories of mothers will never end.