Bing Xin (1900.10.5-1999.2.28) was born in Changle, Fujian, and her original name was Xie Wanying. A famous modern female writer, children's literature writer, and poet. Because she lived exactly one century in her life, she was called the "Elder of the Century" and was deeply loved by the people.
Born in Fuzhou on October 5, 1900, into a family of naval officers with patriotic and reformist ideas. Her father Xie Baozhang participated in the Sino-Japanese War of 1898-1898 and fought against the Japanese invaders. Later, he founded a naval school in Yantai and served as its principal.
Seven months after Bing Xin was born, she moved to Shanghai with her family.
He moved to Yantai, Shandong Province when he was 4 years old, and lived by the sea in Yantai for a long time. The sea cultivated her temperament and broadened her mind; and her father's patriotism and ambition to strengthen the country also deeply affected her young mind. One summer evening, Bing Xin walked with her father on the beach. On the beach, facing the red sky under the setting sun, Bing Xin asked her father to talk about the sea in Yantai. At this time, her father told his little daughter: The coast of northern China is beautiful. There are many harbors, such as Weihaiwei, Dalian, and Qingdao. They are all beautiful, but they are all occupied by foreigners. "None of them belong to us Chinese." "Only Yantai belongs to us!" My father's words deeply impressed me. In the heart of young Bing Xin. In Yantai, Bing Xin began to study. During her enlightenment studies at home, she was exposed to Chinese classical literature. She read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin" at the age of 7. At the same time, I also read the "Shuo Bu Series" published by the Commercial Press, which included the famous British writer Dickens's "A Story of the Remaining Life of a Piece of Meat" and other critical realist works of the 19th century. , when poor David ran away from the abusive shopkeeper and went to live with his aunt, and was hungry and distressed during the journey, Bing Xin shed tears while pretending to be the little bread her mother gave her as a snack, and put it into her mouth piece by piece. Rise, to prove and realize that you are happy!
After the Revolution of 1911, Bing Xin returned to Fuzhou with her father and lived in a compound behind the Wanxing Tongshi Store at the entrance of Yangqiao Lane on Nanhou Street. A large family of my grandfather lived here, and there were many couplets on the pillars in the house, all written by Bing Xin's uncles. This house was originally the residence of Lin Juemin, one of the seventy-two martyrs of Huanghuagang. After Lin's accident, the Lin family was afraid of being punished, so they sold the house and fled to the countryside. The person who bought this house was Bing Xin. Grandfather Xie Luanen. Here, Bing Xin was admitted to the preparatory course of Fuzhou Women's Normal School in 1912, becoming the first girl in the Xie family to officially enter the school.
In 1913, her father Xie Baozhang went to the National Government in Beijing to serve as the Director of Military Science of the Navy Department. Bing Xin moved to Beijing with her father and lived in Jianzi Lane in Tieshihutong. The next year, she entered Beiman Girls' High School and was promoted to A preparatory major in science at Concordia Women's University, she aspires to be a doctor who can save lives and heal the wounded.
The rise of the New Culture Movement and the outbreak of the May 4th Movement made Bing Xin closely link her destiny with the rejuvenation of the nation. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to the trend of the times and was elected as secretary of the university student union, and therefore participated in the work of the publicity unit of the Beijing Women's Academies Federation. Under the agitation of the patriotic student movement, she published her first essay "Reflections on the 21st Hearing" and her first novel "Two Families" in the "Morning Post" in August 1919. The latter used the pen name "Bing Xin" for the first time. Because the work directly involves major social issues, it quickly has an impact. Bing Xin said that it was the thunder of the May Fourth Movement that "shocked" her onto the path of writing. The "problem novels" written later, such as "The Man Is Alone and Haggard", "Going to the Country", and "The Autumn Wind and Autumn Rain Are Sad", highlighted the destruction of human nature by feudal families, the fierce conflict between two generations in the new world, and the melee between warlords. The pain it brings to the people. At that time, Concordia Women's University merged into Yenching University, and Bing Xin joined the then famous Literature Research Society as a young student. Her creations flowed out under the banner of "For Life", and she published the novel "Superman" which attracted the attention of critics, and the short poems "Stars" and "Spring Water" which aroused repercussions in the social and literary circles, and thus promoted the "small poems" in the early stage of new poetry. "Writing trends.
In 1923, Bing Xin won a scholarship from Wellesley Women's University in the United States with excellent results. Before and after studying abroad, Bing Xin began to publish correspondence essays under the general title "For Young Readers", which became the foundation of Chinese children's literature. Bing Xin, who was in her early 20s, was already well-known in the Chinese literary world.
Bing Xin and Wu Wenzao met on the President Jackson cruise ship to the United States. Bing Xin was studying for a literature degree at Wellesley Women's University Graduate School in Boston, and Wu Wenzao was studying sociology at Dartmouth College. They gradually deepened their understanding through mutual correspondence. In the summer of 1925, Bing Xin and Wu Wenzao came to Cornell by chance. Tutoring French in college, beautiful campus, quiet environment, they fell in love.
In 1926, Bing Xin received a Master of Arts degree and returned to China, while Wu Wenzao continued to study for a PhD in sociology at Columbia University in the United States. After Bing Xin returned to China, she successively taught at Yenching University, Peking Women's College of Arts and Sciences, and the Chinese Department of Tsinghua University.
On June 15, 1929, Bing Xin and Wu Wenzao, who had returned from school, held a wedding at Linhuxuan of Yanjing University. Stuart Leighton presided over their wedding.
After getting married, Bing Xin continued to create. Her works fully praised maternal love, childlike innocence, and nature. They also reflected careful observation of social inequality and the lives of different classes. Her innocent and timeless writing also revealed a hint of irony. Representative works of novels include "Fen" in 1931 and "Dong'er Girl" in 1933. Excellent prose works include "Returning to the South - The Spirit in Heaven Dedicated to Mother" in 1931.
In 1932, "The Complete Works of Bing Xin" was published by Beixin Book Company in three volumes (one volume each for novels, prose, and poetry). This is the first complete collection of writers in modern Chinese literature.
In 1936, Bing Xin went to Europe and the United States with her husband Wu Wenzao for a year to study. They made extensive visits to Japan, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, the Soviet Union and other places. In the United Kingdom, Bing Xin and Consciousness Woolf, the pioneering writer of popular novels, had a conversation. They drank afternoon tea while talking about literature and China.
In 1938, Wu Wenzao and Bing Xin and their children left Peiping during the war of resistance against Japan and traveled through Shanghai and Hong Kong to Kunming, Yunnan, the rear area. Bing Xin once went to Chenggong Simple Normal School to teach on a voluntary basis, and experienced the hardships and hardships brought about by the war together with the whole nation.
In 1940, he moved to Chongqing and served as a political councilor of the National Political Participation Association. Soon he joined the Chinese Literary and Art Circles Anti-Enemy Association, and was enthusiastically engaged in cultural salvation activities. He also wrote influential prose chapters such as "About Women" and "Remail to Little Readers".
After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, she went to Japan with her husband, sociologist Wu Wenzao, in November 1946. She gave lectures at the Japan Oriental Society and the Faculty of Literature of the University of Tokyo, and was later hired by the University of Tokyo as the first foreign female professor. , teaching the course "New Chinese Literature". While in Japan, Bing Xin and Wu Wenzao united and influenced overseas intellectuals under complex conditions and actively engaged in patriotic, peaceful and progressive activities. As a loyal patriotic intellectual, Bing Xin inherited the fine tradition of Chinese intellectuals. When the world rises and falls, everyone is responsible, and the pursuit of light will never end. During the Anti-Japanese War, she had contact with Zhou Enlai and was invited to publish articles in progressive publications. Zhou Enlai once invited her to visit Yan'an. Although the trip failed, their hearts were connected.
During the War of Liberation, Bing Xin refused to participate in the election for representatives of the "National Congress" and supported her relatives to defect to the liberated areas.
At the beginning of the founding of New China, she was living in Japan, caring for the motherland, and firmly supported Wu Wenzao's just move to get rid of the Kuomintang clique.
Encouraged by the new situation of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Wu Wenzao and Bing Xin risked their lives and overcame numerous obstacles to return to the motherland where they thought day and night in 1951. Since then he has settled in Beijing. Premier Zhou Enlai cordially received Wu Wenzao and Bing Xin and his wife, and expressed his affirmation and condolences for their patriotic actions. Bing Xin felt the thriving people of New China and devoted a hundredfold energy to various cultural undertakings and international exchange activities of the motherland. During this period, she visited India, Myanmar, Switzerland, Japan, Egypt, Romania, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and other countries, spreading friendship among people of all countries in the world. At the same time, she published a large number of works praising the motherland and the people's new life. "We don't have winter here," she said, "we wake up spring." She is diligent in translation and has published many translations. She has written a large number of essays and novels, which are collected into "Little Orange Lamp", "Ode to Cherry Blossoms", "Xiao Zha Gleaner", etc., all of which are popular and widely circulated.
After the Cultural Revolution began, Bing Xin was shocked. Her home was ransacked and she was put into a "cowshed" to endure criticism from the rebels under the scorching sun. In early 1970, Bing Xin, who was 70 years old, was sent to the May 7th Cadre School in Xianning, Hubei Province to undergo labor reform. It was not until 1971, when US President Nixon was about to visit China, that Bing Xin and Wu Wenzao returned to Beijing to accept the relevant translation tasks assigned by the party and the government. . At this time, she, Wu Wenzao, Fei Xiaotong and others worked together to complete the translation of "Outline of World History" and "World History". During this period of extremely abnormal economic construction and political life in the country, Bing Xin, like her people, fell into trouble and reflection. During the turmoil of the "Cultural Revolution" for ten years, despite being treated unfairly, she faced everything calmly and calmly, firmly believing that the truth would win. She always pays close attention to the progress of the socialist motherland and the improvement of people's lives. She once wrote in the article "Impression of the Century": "In the past ninety years... my love for the motherland and the people has always been as solid as gold and stone." Practice has proved that Bing Xin is a close friend who has been with the party through thick and thin for a long time.
After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the motherland entered a new historical period, and Bing Xin ushered in the second miraculous creative climax in her life. She didn't know that she was approaching old age, but she always maintained the noble qualities of constant thinking, always making progress, and selfless dedication.
In June 1980, Bing Xin first suffered from cerebral thrombosis and then fractured her bones. The pain could not make her put down the pen in her hand. She said "life begins at the age of eighty". The short story "Empty Nest" she published that year won the National Outstanding Short Story Award. Then he created masterpieces such as "Everything is of the Top Quality..." and "The Monk from Afar". In terms of prose, in addition to "Three Letters to Little Readers", he has created four series of articles in succession, namely "Written as I Think", "My Autobiography", "About Men" and "Fufeng Miscellaneous Notes".
Their large number, rich content, and unique creative style have brought her literary achievements to a new level and created a magnificent landscape in her later years. "I Request", "I Thank You" and "Letter to a Reader" published when she was nearly ninety years old, all spoke true words with integrity, frankness and enthusiasm, showing her deep love for the motherland and the people. Deep love. She followed her example and donated more than 100,000 yuan in royalties to the primary school in her hometown, the Hope Project across the country, the China Rural Women's Education and Development Fund, and people in disaster-stricken areas such as Anhui. She enthusiastically responded to Ba Jin's initiative to establish a modern Chinese literature museum, donated a large number of books, manuscripts, calligraphy and paintings in her collection, and took the lead in establishing the "Bing Xin Library". As a non-governmental diplomatic envoy, Bing Xin often traveled around the world, bringing Chinese literature, culture and the friendship of the Chinese people to every corner of the world. She has made outstanding contributions to the unification of the country and the promotion of friendly exchanges with people from all over the world. She is a shining example of our country's patriotic intellectuals.
On December 24, 1992, the Bing Xin Research Society, a national social academic group, was established in Fuzhou. The famous writer Ba Jin served as the president. Since then, a series of research and activities have been carried out.
In 1995, Straits Literature and Art Publishing House published the eight-volume "The Complete Works of Bing Xin". In the same year, a publishing symposium was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Zhao Puchu, Lei Jieqiong, Fei Xiaotong, Han Suyin, Wang Meng, Xiao Qian Qian, Xie Mian and others gave speeches at the publication symposium and spoke highly of Bing Xin's great literary achievements and broad loving spirit.
In order to promote Bing Xin’s literary achievements and literary spirit, it was proposed by the Standing Council of Bing Xin Research Society, approved by the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Provincial Government, and under the direct leadership of the Fujian Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Bing Xin Literature Museum was established in Bing Xin’s hometown Changle. It houses the large-scale "Bing Xin's Life and Creation Exhibition", Bing Xin Research Center, conference hall, reception room, etc. It covers an area of ??13 acres and has a construction area of ??4,500 square meters. It was officially completed and opened on August 25, 1997.
Bing Xin passed away at 21:00 on February 28, 1999 in Beijing Hospital at the age of 99.
After Bing Xin’s death, the party and the people spoke highly of her, calling her “China’s outstanding literary master of the 20th century, a loyal patriot, a famous social activist, and the Communist Party of China.” "A close friend of the Communist Party." In other words, Bing Xin's achievements and contributions are multifaceted. She dedicated her life to her children, motherland and people, as well as to the whole society and all mankind.
Bing Xin is of the same age as the century. She has been accompanied by the changes of the century throughout her life. She has always kept pace with the times and persisted in writing for seventy-five years. She is a veteran of the New Literature Movement. Her writing process shows the great trajectory of the development of modern and contemporary Chinese literature from the "May Fourth" literary revolution to the literature of the new era. She created a variety of "Bing Xin style" literary styles and carried out solid practice of literary modernization. She is my country's first generation children's literature writer and a famous modern Chinese novelist, essayist, poet, and translator. Her translations include "The Prophet" and "Sand and Foam" by Kahlil Gibran of Lebanon, "Gitanjali", "The Gardener" and drama collections of Rabindranath Tagore of India. They are all recognized as masterpieces of literary translation. In 1995, she was awarded the It was awarded the national Cedar Medal signed by the President of the Republic of Lebanon. Her literary influence transcends national boundaries, and her works have been translated into languages ????in various countries and have been appreciated by readers at home and abroad.
Bing Xin is also a famous social activist. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, she has served as a director of the second and third councils of the Chinese Writers Association, secretary and consultant of the Secretariat, a member and vice chairman of the second to fourth national committees of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for the Promotion of Democracy. Representative to the 1st to 5th National People's Congress, member of the Standing Committee of the 5th to 7th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and member of the 8th and 9th National Committee, vice president of the National Children's Welfare Foundation, member of the Standing Committee of the China Women's Federation, etc. job. She always pays attention to and devotes herself to various activities with a broad love for the motherland, the people, and the children. She has made outstanding contributions to the development of our country's literary cause, women's and children's causes, and to upholding and improving the multi-party cooperation and political consultation system led by the Communist Party of China.
Bing Xin’s famous saying is “With love, everything comes.” Her words and deeds throughout her life, and all her millions of words, illustrate her incomparable love for the motherland and the people, and her full confidence in the future of mankind. She loves all the outstanding cultural achievements accumulated by the Chinese nation and all mankind through history. She loves life, loves beautiful things, and loves the beauty and character of roses. Her innocence, kindness, perseverance, courage and integrity make her enjoy high prestige among readers at home and abroad. The Chinese people are proud to have literary masters like Bing Xin.
On March 19, 1999, in the first farewell room of Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery, people bid farewell to Bing Xin in a unique way. There is no somberness here in the past, no black gauze, no white flowers. What surrounds the mourning hall is the blue of the sea and the bright red of the rose. In front of the door of the farewell room, a big red banner read "Farewell Bing Xin" with four eye-catching characters. The mourning hall was filled with flowers and flower baskets. Old Bing Xin lay peacefully among the flowers. In front of the flowers, Bing Xin's mother-in-law, who was also a member of China during her lifetime, was A flower basket from Ba Jin, a good friend who strives for literary career and chairman of the Chinese Writers Association, and a large flower basket carefully woven by his family members. Bing Xin loved red roses the most during her lifetime.
In her century-long career, she has consistently dedicated her rose-like love to the motherland, the people, and this beautiful world. As a result, people who loved Bing Xin flew more than 2,000 of the freshest red roses from Kunming and Guangzhou to say their final farewell to Bing Xin in the form of roses. The front of the mourning hall is set against a light blue and azure background, highlighting the large characters "With love, there is everything" handwritten by the old man Bing Xin. It is surrounded by pines and cypresses and a red heart pattern woven from red roses. Walking into the mourning hall, the sound of the waves of the sea can be heard in my ears, as well as the joyous cry of soaring seagulls, and the elegant melody of the organ and trumpet drifting from the distant sky... This is what Bing Xin's favorite grandson Chen Gang carefully prepared for her grandma. music. When he came back from the United States, he specially brought back natural music materials, which were synthesized by Li Huanzhi's son. The music is divided into four movements: "Sea", "Life", "Light" and "Sunset". After Bing Xin passed away, condolences came like snowflakes. Those who expressed their condolences included both seniors in the literary world and young readers full of childlike innocence, as well as Chinese and foreign friends. At this time, a long queue lined up outside the mourning hall. Some of them came from other places to say goodbye to Bing Xin. There were thousands of people who came to say goodbye to Bing Xin. Writers and artists who were attending the 4th National Committee Meeting of the 5th Chinese Writers Association and the 4th National Committee Meeting of the 6th China Federation of Literary and Art Circles also came to bid farewell to Bing Xin. Pan Xincheng, Vice Governor of Fujian Province, and others bid farewell to Bing Xin on behalf of the people in her hometown. Everyone bidding farewell to Bing Xin held a red rose in their hands, bowed three times to the old man Bing Xin, and then gently placed the red rose beside the old man Bing Xin. Gradually, Bing Xin rose and sublimated in a sea of ??red roses.