On April 10, 1921, Mr. Mao Dun issued the "First Special Article Solicitation" for the "Novel Monthly", and from then on, "Novel Monthly" became the birthplace of the new literary movement in our country.

In just 97 years, China has undergone earth-shaking changes. Nearly a century later, on April 10, 2018, the opening ceremony of the "Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy" was held in Beijing. China Literature Foundation and Xueersi Big Language announced that they would work together to build the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy and continue Mr. Mao Dun's literary initiative among the new generation of youth.

Tongxiang City Cooperation and Exchange Deputy Director Ni Yuqiang, China Literature Foundation Secretary Li Xiaohui, and responsible person of Xueersi Big Language Li Lin and President Yang Fuguang (from left to right) jointly unveiled the plaque of the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy

At the press conference, Ms. Li Xiaohui, Secretary of the China Literature Foundation, Mr. Ni Yuqiang, Deputy Director of the Tongxiang City Cooperation and Exchange Office, and Mr. Li Lin, responsible person of Xueersi Big Language, jointly unveiled the plaque for the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy. In the future, the literature academy will be based in Mao Dun's hometown, Wuzhen, Tongxiang, and will discover and train a new generation of literary talents nationwide, and use the rich writer resources of the China Writers Association to provide beneficial guidance for young people's literary writing.

At the same time, the three leaders announced that the 2018 National Youth Literature Writing Contest and the public welfare assistance action for impoverished youth in mountainous areas will also be launched simultaneously.

Renowned writers Yuan Min, Zhang Zhilu, Secretary General Li Xiaohui of China Literature Foundation, responsible person Li Lin of Xueersi Big Language, young writer Ma Xiaotao, and President Yang Fuguang of Xueersi (from left to right) posing for a photo

Mr. Shen Wein­ing, the eldest grandson of Mr. Mao Dun, also sent a message of anticipation and blessings for the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy through a video: "I am very pleased to have such a platform that allows children who love writing and literature to have a stage to show their talent, and at the same time, to let my grandfather's spirit be inherited and carried forward."

Getting together with literature, building a platform for young people to learn from writers
 

Audience at the scene visiting the exhibition on Mao Dun's life

"Although the creation of new literature by the Chinese people is still in an experimental period, it is the beginning of a new era, and I sincerely hope that the Chinese people will work together. Therefore, this column is set up to wait for excellent works." 97 years ago, Mr. Mao Dun opened a new column in the "Novel Monthly," aiming to cultivate the literary creativity of the Chinese people, to provide a public platform for literary sparks, and to bring the dawn of "new literature" to the new generation of intellectuals in China.

In fact, in his youth, Mr. Mao Dun had long had grand literary aspirations. He once wrote an exercise titled "Aiming High" based on Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering," expressing his youthful ambition, and received praise from his teacher as "someone who would be able to write in the future."

It is reported that under the framework of the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy, a nationwide essay contest for young people initiated by the China Literature Foundation and Xueersi aims to discover more outstanding literary works and gather young people with literary ideals from all over the country, encouraging more young writers to show their talent on the platform and use their childish pens to express their life's feelings, insights, and aspirations. At the same time, they will be able to face-to-face coaching with writers, cultivate their writing skills, and perceive life.

The Foundation and Xueersi jointly announced at the scene that the famous children's literature writer and vice chairman of the China Writers Association, Gao Hongbo, has been appointed as the chairman of the Expert Committee of the Academy, while renowned authors Zhang Zhilu, Yuan Min, and Qiu Huadong have been appointed as expert committee members. Young writer Ma Xiaotao, as the representative teaching faculty of the Academy, received a letter of appointment together with the experts at the scene.

China Literature Foundation Secretary Li Xiaohui (far left), responsible person Li Lin (far right) presenting expert committee member appointment letters to renowned writers Qiu Huadong, Zhang Zhilu, and Yuan Min (second from left, third from left, and fourth from left respectively)

China Literature Foundation Secretary Li Xiaohui (far left) and responsible person Li Lin (far right) presenting the teaching faculty appointment letter of the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy to young writer Ma Xiaotao (middle)

Teacher Gao Hongbo recorded a special message for the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy, in which he said: "Mr. Mao Dun is our senior, our old chairman, and our respected elder. The establishment of the Youth Literature Academy in his name will be of particular importance in cultivating the writing enthusiasm of our young people and enhancing the cultural attainments of our youth. When the young are strong, the country is strong, and with strong literary-minded youngsters, our literary cause is strong. You are all our hope and future."

Understanding the world is all about learning, and enhancing literacy through social participation
 

Audience at the scene learning about the essay contest

In the latest publication of "Core Literacy Development of Chinese Students," the three major contents of core literacy are emphasized once again: in addition to cultural foundation and self-development, social participation is also of great importance in the growth and learning of students.

Mao Dun once wrote: "In addition to knowledge from books, one must obtain knowledge from life." In line with Mr. Mao Dun's advocated concept, the first activity of the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy will be launched simultaneously in various cities nationwide, targeting young people aged 9-16. It aims to discover new talents through essay writing, connect children from all over the country, provide excellent literary education resources, and conduct online lectures and writing workshops, as well as a summer writing camp in Wuzhen, Tongxiang.

Children participating in the essay contest will have the opportunity to stand out from young authors nationwide and be invited to visit Mao Dun's hometown, Wuzhen, Tongxiang. Once a place where only the World Internet Conference was held, it has produced a generation of literary greats such as Feng Zikai and Yan Duhe. The children will follow in the footsteps of literary masters in the ancient town, experience local traditional culture, receive unique rural humanistic and artistic nourishment, and unleash their literary talents under the guidance of writers, inspiring creativity and writing on the spot.

Literary literacy needs to be accumulated. Society is the third classroom for children to grow up in. The China Literature Foundation and Xueersi Big Language hope that the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy can inspire children's interest in reading, promote their literary ideals and talents, and enable them to expand their learning and love for literature beyond the classroom, truly feeling the charm of literature.

Public welfare assistance to fulfill the literary dreams of impoverished children

Audience understanding the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy - 2018 literary public welfare journey

It's not enough to read thousands of books; one must also travel thousands of miles. Participation in society not only enhances cultural literacy through practice but also nurtures a sense of responsibility and citizenship in children.

Concurrently with the essay contest, the China Literature Foundation and Xueersi will carry out a series of public welfare assistance actions—"Go In" and "Go Out."

In the "Go In" aspect, Xueersi will follow the China Literature Foundation's assistance actions, go into poverty-stricken mountainous areas, donate Xueersi books and courses, and use online methods to share high-quality Xueersi Big Language courses with local children. They will also share the Xueersi extracurricular graded reading list and the 21-day joyful reading activity with local children. Moreover, they will give the opportunity for impoverished children in these mountainous areas who also have literary ideals to "Go Out." The Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy will especially open public welfare quotas for impoverished children, selecting young people with literary aspirations and talents in the area, and funding their trip to Tongxiang, a trip that will fulfill their literary dreams and provide them with a platform to broaden their horizons.

Jointly building the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy by Xueersi Big Language and the China Literature Foundation, as well as the subsequent development of the essay contest and public welfare actions, will bring more vitality to local culture: literary activities, creative study tours, and empowerment in local areas will help local children bring the outside world back home through extracurricular experiences.

Li Lin, responsible person of Xueersi Big Language

Jointly building the Mao Dun Youth Literature Academy is the first step taken by Xueersi Big Language after its full upgrade announcement. Li Lin said that Xueersi Big Language will continue to create an open platform and gather high-quality resources for young people through more diverse trials in the future, and will continue to promote the improvement of literacy advocated by Big Language, empowering children with "lifelong benefiting abilities."