Chapter 102 Chinese Literary and Art Circles During the Eight Years of Anti-Japanese War

During the eight years of the Anti-Japanese War, China's literary and artistic circles were by no means stagnant, and literary and artistic writers at that time were very active.In the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, North China, Shanghai, and Nanjing fell into enemy hands one after another, and writers followed the government to move to the interior.Some people went up the Yangtze River and went to Chongqing from Hankou; some went north from Shaanxi to Sichuan; some went to Chongqing from Guangdong;At that time, Kunming, Chongqing, and Guilin became the three important centers of literature.Among these are Lao She, Ba Jin, Mao Dun, Guo Moruo, Tian Han, Shen Congwen, Su Xuelin, Feng Yuanjun, Cao Yu, Zhao Qingge, Hong Shen, Ling Shuhua, Yuan Changying, Zang Kejia, Xu Chi and many other writers.

The strong enthusiasm for the War of Resistance excited the hearts of every writer.At the same time, the wandering and migration, the painful and difficult environment, and the thousands of miles of trekking that they have never experienced before, crossing the Jianmen Pass from the ancient road in the northwest; The foreign lands and worlds they have experienced—these experiences have given them a wealth of creative materials. In the inland cities, "Literary and Art Circles Resisting the Enemy Association" was established no matter where they were, and various literary and art publications sprung up like mushrooms after rain.During the war, paper was scarce and of poor quality, and printing was often delayed by shelling.Despite this, the literary and art journals did not suspend publication, but continued to publish.For example, "Anti-Japanese War Literature and Art" published by the Anti-Enemy Association of Chongqing Literary and Art Circles, etc., are the most beautiful and most fulfilling monthly magazines.

As far as everyone's creation is concerned, the creation of drama is the most successful and the most rewarding. Cao Yu's "Peking Man", Lao She's "Country First", Mao Dun's "Before and After Qingming", Guo Moruo's "Qu Yuan" and Zhao Qingge's "This Hate" have all been staged and received good reviews. There are also amazing advancements in levels.In Chongqing, as soon as October comes into the foggy season, the enemy stops bombing, and it is a busy month for theatrical activities. There are fewer novels.Because the life of a writer is unstable, it is impossible to write with peace of mind.However, there are surprisingly many short stories, novellas, prose and poems.For example, Lao She's "Cremation", Ba Jin's "Garden of Rest", "Little People and Small Things" and so on.In addition, because I don't have a book on hand now, there are still many works that I can't remember.

During the Anti-Japanese War, whether in Kunming or Chongqing, I lived in the suburbs, and because of my health and family affairs, I didn't have much contact with people in the literary and art circles, so I don't know the details.I wrote letters to my friends in the Chinese literature and art circles, asking them to write something under the title "The Chinese Literature and Art Circles During the Eighth Years of the Anti-Japanese War".As far as I am concerned, I think that the impact of the eight years of the Anti-Japanese War on the literary and artistic circles is just like the May Fourth Movement 29 years ago. It is a wake-up call and a stimulant. .I believe that after the post-war life settles down, many works that were buried and hidden during the war will be published one after another.

(Translated by Liu Ping)