The 11th Beijing October Literature Month kicked off at Ditan Book Market

China News Service, Beijing, September 25 (Reporter Gao Kai) The 11th Beijing October Literature Month with the theme of "New Beijing, New Literature" officially kicked off at the Ditan Book Market.

Zhang Jinling, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Shouwenke Group, said in her speech that day that "October" is Beijing's literary brand with national influence. The "Beijing October Literature Month" held for ten consecutive years adheres to the original intention of literature and deeply cultivates the fertile cultural soil, and has become a shining "golden business card" of Beijing literature in the new era. The holding of the 11th Beijing October Literature Month is not only an affectionate look back at ten years of hard work, but also a solemn expectation for the future.

The selected list of the fifth "Wang Meng Young Writers Support Program·Specially Selected Writers of the Year" was announced at the launching ceremony. Five young writers, Sol, Ainur Tomalbek, Chen Xiaoshou, Zhao Hanqing, and Cheng Jiaoyang, became the selected writers of the year.

"People's Artist" Wang Meng and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Writers Association Li Jingze presented certificates to the five young writers on the spot.

Sol and Zhao Hanqing gave a speech of thanks as representatives of the fifth "Wang Meng Young Writers Support Program·Specially Selected Writer of the Year". Regarding literary creation, Sol believed that the most important thing for a writer is to maintain surprise, curiosity and honesty when facing the world. He hopes that through his writing, those who have gone far away will be reborn in reading. Zhao Hanqing admitted that her most original and strongest motivation for engaging in literary creation is the yearning for a better life and the contemplation of the meaning of life. She believes that literature gives each of us the confidence to pursue a romance that is higher than life.

It is reported that the "Wang Meng Young Writers Support Plan·Specially Selected Writers of the Year" is the first ongoing project operated by the famous writer Wang Meng who donated his personal royalties and established a special fund at the China Literature Foundation. Since its launch in 2022, a total of 17 young writers have been selected for five consecutive years. The works created by this year's nominees cover novels, non-fiction, poetry, drama criticism and other literary genres.

At the launch ceremony, the much-anticipated fourth "October Signing Writers" plan was released. Nine writers, Mai Jia, Liu Liangcheng, Lao Teng, Yin Xueyun, Ye Zhou, Liu Jiandong, Zhang Zhe, Jin Renshun, and Liang Hong, signed contracts with the "October" brand and were hired as the fourth "October Signing Writers."

The 11th Beijing October Literature Month is hosted by Shouwenke Group and hosted by Beijing Publishing House, Beijing October Literature and Art Publishing House, and October Magazine. According to reports, this Literature Month will firmly grasp the orientation of popularization and inclusiveness, vigorously practice the concept of new popular literature and art, open the door to literary creation, and launch a series of participatory and interactive literary activities for the general public from September to October, promote high-quality literary resources to go out of professional circles, present Beijing in the new era in a literary way, and integrate literary scenes into citizens’ leisure and consumption life.