Jia Pingwa won three national literature awards, “Chinese Language Literature Award – Outstanding Writer of 2005”, Flying Horse Literature Award of the U.S., Feminist Literature, highest honor of France for foreign art and literature, and Dream of the Red Chamber Literature Award. His works were published in more than 20 languages such as English, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Vietnam.

Winning of 7th Maodun Literature Award

Prize-awarding words for long novel Qinqiang that wins the 7th Maodun Literature Award:

Writing style of Jia Pingwa is both traditional and modernized, both realistic and far-sighted. Although his languages are simple and naïve, they raise storms in readers’ hearts. His work Qinqiang successfully narrates the truth situation of daily life and elaborates the conflicts and puzzles of changing China with his patriotic hearts. His heart-touching languages contain a kind of distress and behind his busy description is a kind of silence. When time passes by, all we can face is great silence only. Qinqiang is an outstanding work in contemporary novel creation and a vivid reflection of this era.

Award winning speech of Jia Pingwa, winner of the 7th Maodun Literature Award

It’s of great honor to be awarded the Maodun Literature Award in the hometown of Mr. Mao Dun. After knowing this news, I only said four words: the sky is bright! The weather was really good on that day, and so did my mind. I burned joss sticks for figure of Buddha in the house and portrait of my deceased parents. Then, I went to the street to have a bowl of mutton soaks. Among all my works, Qinqiang is the book that I want to write most and also the more painstaking one. When I started writing this book, I didn’t know fate of the book. However, it swore in front of tomb of my father that it will set up a memorial stele for the past of my home town. Now, Qinling was confirmed. I am happy for this and for my hometown. Thanks to the care of god of literature! Thanks to members of the appraisal committee! Winning an award likes meeting a bridge when facing a river or meeting a spring when feeling thirsty in the way of creation. There is still a long way ahead. I am fortunate to born in China and witness the great changes of China. The reality creates imagination for my creation. As a writer, I will make more efforts to write better work. Thank you!

Comments on Jia Pingwa

Jia Pingwa had been engaged in literature editing work for a couple of years, such as working as an editor of Shaanxi People’s Publication House. Now, he is a professional writer in Xi’an Art and Literature Union. His wife Han Junfang was also born in Lihua Town of Danfeng County. Their happy marriage is reflected in Jia Pingwa’s works. His daughter Qianqing is his deepest love. Jia Pingwa likes eating miscellaneous grains and wild vegetables and never ear meets. He also no special interests except for writing articles. Domestic and overseas persons in literature circle called him as “lone ranger” in literature circle of Mainland China. Contents of Jia Pingwa’s essays are rich and colorful. In terms of contents and tones, essays of Jia Pingwa can be divided into five categories: (1) emotion essay, which narrates special emotions, such as One Night at Dawadi; (2) scene essay, which describes all kinds of scenes, such as Story at Jingxu Village and Loess Plateau; (3) character essay, which mainly portraits a character, such as Fish and Turtle Catcher and In Mizhi; (4) informal essay, which talks about life and ways of the world, such as Diseases of People and Card-playing; (5) customs essay, which introduces customs of a place such as Notes about Snacks of Shaanxi and Plaything. Jia Pingwa makes great breakthrough in traditional essay writing method. His works include his special opinions on the society and the life, his personal emotions (loves or hates) or philosophies he thought suddenly. His frankness, easy-going and low-pitched writing style is one the tools for him to attract readers. In his works, Jia Pingwa’s patriotic hearts can be found easily. This is uncommon in today’s complicated society. Besides, Jia Pingwa’s pursuit for beauty can be seen clearly in his words. He not only likes enjoying the beauty by himself, but also wants to introduce the beauty appreciation way to the readers.

Source: shaanxi.gov.cn

Editor: Feng Hui