A discussion of essays by Lu Xun, widely known as the father of modern Chinese literature, was recently held in the Capital. The discussion, titled Writings of Lu Xun: Their Sociopolitical Importance, was organised by the Devkota-Lu Xun Academy at the premises of the Nepal Academy for Language, Literature, and Social Sciences in Kamaladi. The speakers emphasised Lu Xun’s global influence with regards to “socially conscious” literature.

Speaking at the event, Ganga Prasad Upreti, chairperson at Nepal Academy, said Lu Xun’s writings “relay to the reader a transformative vision of society that can easily be applied to Nepal’s present day context.” Upreti also claimed that the cross-pollination of literature has strengthened cultural ties between Nepal and China. 

Lu Xun, whose writings had often lampooned the excesses of the Chinese ruling class, had also brought to the fore stories of the poor and marginalised—as such he is regarded as having influenced the communist revolution in China as well as communist thought across the world. The event also saw Shantadas Manandar awarded with the ‘Devkota-Lu Xun Prize’ as well as a purse of Rs 50,000 for his contributions to popularising Lu Xun’s works in Nepal. Further discussions regarding Nepali and Chinese literature are expected to be held at the Nepal Academy in the near future.