On the evening of 17 April, the literary discussion event ‘We Were All Once “Literary Youth”’, organised by the National Key Discipline of Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature and the Centre for Research and Publication on World Literature and Contemporary Original Chinese Literature at Nanjing Normal University, was successfully held in the Central Building on the Suiyuan Campus. Novelists Jin Renshun and Zhang Chu were invited as guest speakers, with Professor He Ping from the School of Literature moderating the discussion. A large number of staff and students attended the event to participate in the exchange.

The event commenced with an opening address by Professor He Ping. He noted that the identity of the ‘literary youth’ had at one time been subject to one-sided interpretations, a phenomenon rooted in society’s misperception of the value of literature. For literary creators, literary exploration during one’s youth holds irreplaceable significance; it marks not only the initial stage of literary creation but also lays the foundation for one’s personal aesthetic orientation and literary convictions, serving as a crucial phase in a writer’s development.

During the discussion, the two writers drew upon their own creative experiences to share their insights on growth along their literary journeys. Jin Renshun reflected on the literary landscape of the 1990s, discussing her own literary beginnings and creative breakthroughs. She remarked that literature provides creators with a spiritual strength sufficient to serve as a pillar of support in facing life’s challenges. Zhang Chu, meanwhile, recounted his journey as a non-professional writer who persisted in literary creation alongside his day job, addressing the difficulties and reflections encountered along the way. He also expressed his commitment to deep reading and literary creation in the face of today’s fragmented cultural landscape.

Towards the end of the event, Professor He Ping delivered a concluding address. He remarked that reading and writing are vital means through which individuals engage in dialogue with themselves. In today’s fast-paced digital age, upholding literary aesthetics and maintaining a commitment to deep reading and creative writing have become increasingly precious; young students should cherish the spiritual nourishment that literature provides.

The literary discussion lasted two hours and concluded successfully amidst a rich literary atmosphere. The event provided a platform for exchange between university staff and students and a renowned contemporary writer, allowing those present to gain a deeper appreciation of the original intent and power of literary creation. It also deepened their understanding of the identity of a ‘literary youth’ and the value of literature, whilst contributing to the cultivation of a literary atmosphere on campus and the advancement of literary education.