英文阅读挑战丨A celebration of literary excellence

The pursuit of truth, the search for love, a longing for goodness, and a dedication to beauty — these are the common themes shared by the 35 winners of one of China's most prestigious literary awards.

Lu Xun Literature Week in Shanghai offers a series of activities, including the "Meeting Lu Xun" Fair (left) and an exhibition titled Lu Xun and Left-Wing Literature in the Press at the Shanghai Literature Museum (middle). Visitors can also visit the Memorial Hall of the Left-Wing Writers' Union of China (right). CHINA DAILY

The 2026 Lu Xun Literature Night — also known as the Lu Xun Literature Prize award ceremony — took place in Shanghai last Friday.

The prize is named after the renowned modern Chinese writer and is a prestigious national literary award recognizing outstanding works in seven categories: novellas, short stories, reportage, poetry, essays, literary theory and criticism, and literary translation. Since its inception in 1996, it has been one of China's most influential literary honors.

Over the years, the award-winning works have highlighted the achievements of contemporary Chinese literature, reflecting the close ties between literature, society and the people.

This year's winning works, despite their varied genres, share the same themes, including a search for truth.

One of the five winning titles of the Best Novella Award, Quan Yongxian's Secrets tells the story of the capture and sacrifice of Zhao Yiman, a national hero of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), which changed the destinies of all the book's characters.

"This novella is not just about Zhao but also captures the story of an entire generation of Chinese people. Zhao's identity is just one of the many secrets in the story. The book reveals several hidden truths about the era, individuals and history. Literature provides a chance for these unspeakable secrets and silent stories to be heard," Quan says.

Ban Yu won an award for his short story, Manchang De Jijie (The Long Season). The plot follows a young woman grappling with the balance between family obligations and personal identity, highlighting the unseen struggles and resilience of everyday life.

In his acceptance speech, Ban said that while the identity and significance of fiction are continually evolving, the role of the writer remains constant. "Our job is to tell the stories that urgently need to be told and to shine a light on those who are adorable, gentle, kind, and just, allowing literature to illuminate a wider world," he said.

In her award-winning reportage work Yao You Guang (There Must Be Light), Liang Hong writes about youths who feel trapped — those who have dropped out of school or have emotional issues such as depression, as well as those on the brink of dropping out.

In her acceptance speech, Liang said the award makes her think of her PhD adviser, Wang Furen, an expert on Lu Xun (1881-1936). "He once told me to live like Lu Xun, using my life to truly feel reality. This idea inspired There Must Be Light," she said.

"I wanted to explore what true love really is, why our love often misses reaching our children, and what kind of love can truly connect with others. So, I set out on many journeys, talking with children and listening to their stories and thoughts. Despite their challenges, they think about hope, which symbolizes the hope of every family and the enduring spirit of humanity.

The 2026 Lu Xun Literature Night, or the Lu Xun Literature Prize award ceremony, takes place in Shanghai, honoring the 35 recipients of the awards in seven categories: novellas, short stories, reportage, poetry, essays, literary theory and criticism, and literary translation. CHINA DAILY

"Lu Xun said that countless people in the distance are connected to us. I believe the purpose of writing is to help people see and illuminate each other, making life more meaningful," she said.

One of the five winners of the award for poetry, Wang Jibing has been writing for 38 years and working as a food delivery man for eight years. In his winning anthology Dichu Feixing (Flying Low), he not only goes "undercover" to delve into the details, spirit and emotions of real-life food delivery workers, but also, as an ordinary person living in the "lower" strata of society, he observes, writes about, and reflects on the world around him.

The trophy. CHINA DAILY

"I take life seriously, and I am equally serious about my love for literature. I use words to document life, believing that literature can make the world warmer and softer. In Flying Low, I showcase a group of people who also take life seriously, with joy in their hearts. Not all wings can soar high; flying low is still flying," he said in his acceptance speech.

In her winning book of essays Living in a Hospice: The Last Days, Xue Shu recounts the final five years of her father's life as he battled Alzheimer's disease.

"This book captures my fears and reflections. It tells the stories of those who, despite the relentless march of aging, remain innocent, as well as those who strive to live fully. I hope it serves as a gift to the young, the healthy, those who live life positively, and all who cherish life," she said in her acceptance speech.

Dai Congrong won the award for literary translation for her translation of Finnegans Wake (Three Volumes) by Irish writer James Joyce. She noted that 60 percent of the words in this monumental work were invented by Joyce himself, which is why it took her 18 years to complete the translation, with almost no breaks. At her most "obsessive", she felt compelled to translate even the foreign letters on her son's clothes.

"The most thrilling moment came on page 167 of the original text, when I discovered my own name, 'Cong' and 'Rong', spelled out in pinyin. It felt like destiny," she said, causing the audience to burst into laughter.

"I hope this work opens a window for Chinese readers, showing them that literature can take many forms and that life doesn't have to have just one answer," she said in her acceptance speech.

In his acceptance speech, Xie Youshun, one of the five winners in the literary theory and criticism category, emphasized that without "sincerity", criticism can easily become mere wordplay, and without "goodness" it risks turning into sarcasm.

Writer Quan Yongxian delivers an acceptance speech on behalf of the winners in the novella category. CHINA DAILY

"True scholarship and true literature can only be found within sincerity and goodness," he added.

This year marks the 145th anniversary of Lu Xun's birth and the 90th anniversary of his death, with his last 10 years spent in Shanghai. Sun Ganlu, chairman of the Shanghai Writers' Association, announced at the opening ceremony of the 2026 China Literature Gala on Aug 25 that the Lu Xun Literature Prize award ceremony will be permanently hosted in Shanghai.

A visitor tries oil-based printmaking at the former site of the Woodcut Workshop on Changchun Road in Shanghai, which was established by Lu Xun in 1931. CHINA DAILY

Liang Hong (right) wins the award in the category of reportage for her book There Must Be Light. CHINA DAILY

Additionally, the Shanghai Literature Museum, which has been in development for nearly 10 years, has now opened. This year's opening theme is also centered around Lu Xun and the Left-Wing Writers' Union of China in the 1930s.

"The Lu Xun Literature Night is more than just a ceremony; it serves as a significant opportunity for the entire society. It contributes to the development of Shanghai's literary scene, cultural growth, urban advancement, socioeconomic progress, and even the literary education of young people," Sun said.

"I believe that inheriting and promoting the spirit of Lu Xun is something that Chinese literature greatly needs," he added.

Reporter: Yang Yang

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