As the New Year’s bell rang, People’s Literature Publishing House presented a spiritual feast for readers nationwide, narrating the world’s richness with the light of literature, chronicling glorious years through literary brilliance, and guiding readers into 2025 with the enduring glow of literary inspiration.
On the evening of December 31, 2024, “The Light of Literature Will Never Go Out – 2025 Literature & China New Year’s Eve Gala,” hosted by People’s Literature Publishing House, was grandly held at the Beijing Dongcheng District Cultural Center. Huang Zhijian, Chairman of China Publishing Group Co., Ltd. (CPG), attended the event and delivered a speech. Also present were Zang Yongqing, Vice President of China Publishing & Media Co., Ltd. and President of People’s Literature Publishing House, and Zhao Haiying, head and member of the Standing Committee, the Publicity Department of Beijing Dongcheng District Committee of the Communist Party of China. The event was joined by representatives from Beijing’s literary and publishing circles, distributors, employees of People’s Literature Publishing House, and over 100 key media outlets, all coming together to celebrate an unforgettable New Year’s Eve, inspired by the light of literature.
The live streaming of the event across People’s Literature Publishing House’s Douyin, Weibo, and Kuaishou platforms each garnered over 1 million views. The related topics ranked 12th on Douyin’s trending list, while over 100 media outlets jointly broadcast and reported on the event. According to preliminary estimates, the total viewership exceeded 15 million.
In his speech, Huang Zhijian, Chairman of China Publishing Group Co., Ltd., highlighted that this event marks People’s Literature Publishing House’s innovative exploration of new forms of reading promotion activities and a successful effort to further nationwide reading campaigns. He expressed that China Publishing Group and its affiliated institutions honor literary and artistic creators across the country, emphasizing that creative works fuel everything we publish. He also committed to enhancing publishing services so that the light of literature can shine beyond the pages and illuminate the dynamic spiritual and cultural life of our era.
Huang Zhijian noted that the true significance of publishing lies in its connection to the readers. It is precisely because of readers—countless book lovers—that we are not overwhelmed by the flood of information, content bubbles, and visual stimuli on the internet. This allows us to preserve deep reading and critical thinking, ensuring that humanity’s intellectual capacity continues to progress and evolve.
Literature-themed New Year countdown activity, initiated by People’s Literature Publishing House, has been held for four consecutive years. At the close of 2024, the publishing house hosted a grand event commemorating the 120th anniversary of Ba Jin’s birth. Ba Jin’s famous words, “The light will never go out,” stand as a heartfelt declaration from literary professionals: the light of literature shines eternally, illuminating the paths of those journeying through the past, present, and future. This year’s event, “2025 Literature & China New Year’s Eve Gala,” carried the theme “The light will never go out” and was presented in four chapters: Flames of Ideals, Poetry of Life, Songs of All Creatures, and Light of Literature. Distinguished writers and scholars—including Liang Xiaosheng, Li Jingze, Chen Yan, Bi Feiyu, Bi Shumin, Wang Yuewen, Dong Xi, Li Er, Kang Zhen, Zhu Yong, Qiao Ye, Yang Yu, Fan Ye, Xu Zechen, Shi Yifeng, Ban Yu, and Zhang Tianyi—took the stage to share their insights. The gala was co-hosted by renowned host Zhang Lei and Wen Zheng, professor of Italian language and literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Liang Xiaosheng gave an emotional account of his experiences in the production and construction corps in Heilongjiang, reflecting that people’s early ideals are often not grand, unattainable dreams, but rather closely tied to the realities of their time. Even modest ideals, if nurtured in the right environment, can enrich one’s life. Bi Shumin, who once worked as a medical professional in Ngari Prefecture, Xizang—famously known as the roof of the World’s Roof—described how the few books available in that harsh environment opened the doors to literature for her. Li Jingze pointed out that as people grow, their dreams and self-expectations evolve. Throughout this process, literature often sows seeds that help people to see the vastness and diversity of the world. Xu Zechen pondered the contingency of his own ideals, sharing personal anecdotes from his life. Writer Ma Boyong also joined via video link.
Chen Yan reflected on an early setback in his playwriting career, noting that hardship is something one must spend a lifetime grasping—especially for a writer. Dong Xi echoed this sentiment, adding that hardships serve the pursuit of ideals: people move forward through difficulties, and what truly matters is how these experiences ultimately become creative resources for writing. Qiao Ye’s new book is titled To Love Real People. By “real people”, she means embracing people who are imperfect like ourselves, and embracing the imperfect life we live. Ban Yu observed that this is precisely where the power of literature resides. He expressed his hope to capture, through the lens of literature, the force that both engages with life and transcends it.
Wang Yuewen explained that Home Village portrays the close relationship between humanity and nature. Kang Zhen delved into why ancient poetic verses continue to resonate across time and generations. Zhu Yong shared insights on how to truly appreciate the beauty of ancient artifacts. Yang Yu explored the significance of viewing landscapes through the lens of time. Renowned singer Cheng Bi captivated the audience with her performance of The Book of Time.
Bi Feiyu remarked that literature, like fire and electricity, is one of humanity’s greatest inventions, revealing our species’ boundless creative potential. Li Er interpreted the symbolic “lamp” at the conclusion of Strait Is the Gate (first published in France as La Porte etroite) as embodying the dual essence of literature: it should remain deeply connected to ordinary life while illuminating both its joys and sorrows. Shi Yifeng emphasized that younger writers may draw inspiration from their predecessors, but they must also chart their own paths. Fan Ye, translator of One Hundred Years of Solitude, highlighted that the translation of foreign literature should ultimately serve to enrich Chinese literary creation—a mission passed down through generations of translators. Zhang Tianyi, drawing from Du Fu’s verses: “Men at birth are strangers apart, like stars that never meet; What lucky night is this, that we may share the candle’s light?”, conveyed his vision of literature.
Amidst the engaging sharing sessions, midnight approached. The host, guests, and the entire audience joined in the countdown, greeting the arrival of the year 2025.
At the climactic moment of the gala, Zang Yongqing, accompanied by the leadership team of People’s Literature Publishing House, took the stage to recite a poem specially written for the occasion, The Light of Literature Will Never Go Out, offering a unique New Year’s blessing in a poetic form to writers and readers across the country. The light of literature burns eternally: “We believe that in the new year, there will be light in our eyes, light in our hearts, and light to guide us along the way.”