Ai Qing (1910-1996), whose original name was Jiang Haicheng, had pen names such as Ojia, Kea, and Linbi. A native of Jinhua, Zhejiang.
In 1928, he studied at the West Lake Art Institute in Hangzhou and studied in France the following year. In 1932, he joined the Chinese Left-wing Artists Alliance. He was arrested soon after and began to write poems in prison. He became famous with the poem "Dayanhe-My Nanny".
After 1937, he traveled to Wuhan, Shanxi, Guilin, Chongqing and other places to participate in anti-Japanese and national salvation activities. In 1941, he went to Yan'an, participated in the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art, and edited "Poetry Magazine". After 1949, he served as deputy editor-in-chief of "People's Literature".
In 1957, he was mistakenly classified as a rightist and went to work in Heilongjiang, Xinjiang and other places. It was repeatedly criticized during the Cultural Revolution. After October 1976, he regained the right to write and served as vice president of the Chinese Writers Association and vice president of the International PEN China Center. He was awarded the highest medal of literature and art by France.
Died of illness at 4:15 a.m. on May 5, 1996 at the age of 86.
Extended information:
Creative characteristics
Ai Qing’s works generally describe symbolic things such as the sun, torches, and dawn, showing Ai Qing’s attachment to the old society. The hatred of darkness and terror as well as the yearning and pursuit of dawn, light and hope.
Ai Qing's poetry inherits the fine tradition of the "May Fourth" new literature with its characteristics of being closely integrated with reality and full of fighting spirit. It also becomes an important harvest for the development of new poetry with its exquisite and innovative artistic style. This not only reflects the author's artistic talent, but also bears in mind his serious and arduous artistic practice. In his poetry, his full enterprising spirit and rich life experience bring vividness.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Ai Qing