Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 444 Speech at the Paris Parliament
"Next, please welcome Liu Yimin, winner of the International Literature Prize, to the stage to speak!" Eliza smiled at Liu Yimin, and after Liu Yimin stood up, Eliza said again, "Liu, there is no time limit for your speech. I believe there are many Italians who want to hear a voice from China."

After Liu Yimin went up, he looked around. Looking down from above, the hall of the city hall was very large. The faces of the people nearby were still visible under the lights, but further back, all he could see were black squares and white tablecloths.

"Don't worry, I won't delay everyone's mealtime. There's a Chinese saying that food is of paramount importance, and we can't let people's meals be delayed."

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, Lü Tongliu immediately translated.

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of joyful applause erupted from below.

Liu Yimin first talked about his own experience, how he got to Yenching University through the college entrance examination, and how he became a writer.

The voice was flat, without any emotional words.

After recounting his experiences, he began to talk about literature.

"China is the main battleground for realist literature. In the international community, realist literature seems to be no longer popular, which I think should not be the case."

I believe that literature should be able to express your meaning, make readers understand, and reflect the fate of the times and individuals.

There are no fixed criteria for judging good literature, and I believe the judging committee must have been hesitant when choosing me.

Calvino and Eliza laughed and applauded, then listened quietly to Liu Yimin's speech.

"Some people consider my other work, 'Beloved,' to be magical realism rather than realism. I share the same view as Mr. Márquez: magical realism is still realism. The unimaginable suffering in reality is still happening on Earth."

Here, I'd like to give a shout-out to my country and hope that everyone can visit China and observe this ancient China with unbiased eyes.

With the development of transportation and technology, global trade and global division of labor are inevitable, and the earth will be as interconnected as the cities of Rome.

We are poor now, but I believe our development will be rapid. In the process of development, there are endless opportunities. More than a thousand years ago, merchants from ancient Rome visited China; a thousand years later, I hope that merchants from Rome and Italy can once again contribute to trade between the two countries.

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, he bowed crisply and stepped down from the podium. Applause erupted again in the city hall; Liu Yimin's final remarks had surprised many.

They never expected that the Chinese would be so knowledgeable about the global division of labor and global trade, know the world's most advanced science and technology, and predict the changes that internet technology would bring to the world.

Despite Liu Yimin winning the literary prize, these people still felt that Liu Yimin only understood literature.

Eliza said to Liu Yimin, "Liu, it's a pity that our brandy can't be produced in China, otherwise we could try to build a factory in China."

"Your brandy is rooted in Italian agricultural culture. If you have time, try some Chinese baijiu, which is rooted in Chinese agricultural culture."

“Try some ancient Roman court cuisine,” Calvino said with a smile.

Lu Tongliu had received Western cuisine training before coming, and he ate quite well.

Looking at the food on the table, Liu Yimin smiled and said, "European culture originated in the Mediterranean, and so did its cuisine."

Italian cuisine holds an important place in Europe and is far more delicious than the food of white people in countries like England and France.

The table was laden with steak, Roman devil chicken, Neapolitan grilled lobster, Bari turtle, and mostly seafood.

After the banquet, there was a short dance party, which was basically just for everyone to socialize.

Liu Yimin barely moved, while people kept coming up to him for brief conversations or to ask him to sign their books.

The books that people brought were mostly hardcover editions, and they were extremely well preserved.

"Hello, Professor, your speech was very powerful. I come from the Bellini family."

The other party was speaking English, so Liu Yimin didn't need Lü Tongliu to translate; he could understand it.

Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Hello, I know you. Your names are known to everyone in Italy. Your family has a long history in Florence and shines like a pearl in the field of art."

The Bellini family rose to prominence through the arts, and the emergence of three generations of renowned painters almost represented the history of Italian painting, earning them the title of the "Bellini Dynasty."

Later, through the acquisition of a large number of artworks, he became a collector's family with five private museums located in New York, London, Monaco, Venice and Florence.

"You know us?"

"Of course, you have a large collection of artworks. I wonder if any of them are from China?"

Luigi Bellini laughed and said, "Yes, quite a lot. Some of the Chinese artworks are astonishing. Ancient China already possessed such superb manufacturing techniques."

"I hope each of them has a legal identity."

Luigi smiled and said, "After hearing what you just said, I suddenly feel that I should do something for China."

"What should we do?"

Luigi took a sip of brandy and said to Eliza, "The Nonino family's wines can be even more expensive. I'm leaving now."

Lu Tongliu stared at Luigi's departing figure, completely puzzled. They were just talking about what they were going to do, and he left without any warning.

Liu Yimin said in Chinese: "Most artists like to pretend to be profound."

"Handsome writer from the East, would I have the honor of sharing a drink with you?" A gentle female voice sounded from the side.

Liu Yimin turned his head to look at the other person, who was about twenty years old, with a figure that was not particularly outstanding, and a typical Western beauty face.

“I am Sabrina Ferriri.”

Liu Yimin carefully examined Ferrili and her white dress. Ferrili had dreamed of art since she was a child, and tonight's banquet was brought to her by her party leader father.

He later became an Italian actor, appearing in films such as "The Red American" and "Diary of a Paranoid Man".

It's worth mentioning that this woman is a die-hard Roma fan. To motivate Roma to win in 08, she offered her body as a perk to fans and players after the match.

Seeing the burning passion in Sabrina Ferrelli's eyes, Liu Yimin clinked glasses with her.

Ferrili's figure is not very impressive now, in fact, it is quite thin. The reason she has developed curves is entirely due to the advancement of technology.

Liu Yimin signed his name for Ferrili. Seeing her leaning closer, Liu Yimin quickly moved a step away. He knew the intricacies of a woman who wanted to become famous in the art world.

"Professor Liu, I have read many of your works, and I believe you will definitely create even greater works."

Liu Yimin nodded: "I also wish you all the best in achieving your artistic dreams."

Ferrili took a step forward and then looked back at Liu Yimin: "Professor Liu, the night in Rome is long. I wonder if you need company? If you do, I believe you will have a different kind of night."

Lu Tongliu blushed upon hearing this, unsure how to translate. After a long pause, he finally said, "Yimin, have you seen the movie 'The Herdsman'?"

"What's wrong?" "She asked you if you wanted a bed partner, and if you did, she'd send herself there herself," Lü Tongliu said awkwardly.

"I want to enjoy the Rome night view quietly by myself," Liu Yimin said, then turned and walked away.

Ferrieri shook her head and went off to drink with the others.

After the ball ended, Liu Yimin returned to the hotel and put away the silver trophy.

Liu Yimin had just received his award when photos of him receiving the award were published in China, and the evening news broadcast footage of him receiving the award.

Countless people across the country watched the award ceremony, and the cafeteria at Yenching University was packed with students watching the news broadcast.

The news broadcast only featured clips of Liu Yimin receiving the award and attending the banquet. Apart from the applause, the entire broadcast was accompanied by Zhao Zhongxiang's narration.

However, the People's Daily published the award citation for Liu Yimin, as well as the full text of Liu Yimin's acceptance speech.

The scene shifts to Yenching University students celebrating loudly in the cafeteria: "Chinese literature is going global!"

The excitement in the cafeteria wasn't enough; countless students rushed out of the cafeteria and roared through the campus of Yenching University, chanting the slogans that echoed when the women's volleyball team won.

Unite and revitalize China!

Standing on the rooftop, Yan Jiayan watched this scene unfold at the school and said to the others, "Young people really have energy!"

Looking down from upstairs, students began to gather from all directions, their slogans growing louder and louder.

"120,000 US dollars! That's incredibly generous!" Wu Zuxiang exclaimed.

At the Overseas Chinese Apartment, Zhu Lin and Yang Xiuyun sat in front of the TV on time, holding their two little ones. When Liu Yimin's close-up appeared, the two happily called out "Dad!"

While in Latin America, Gabriel García Márquez was very satisfied with Liu Yimin's statement that magical realism was realism.

After receiving the award, Liu Yimin, accompanied by the publishing house, held reader meet-and-greets in four cities: Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence.

For two days straight, without a break, even Comrade Lao Lü was starting to feel the strain.

The Nonino Prize-winning car traveled through Italian cities before finally stopping on the evening of the 12th.

Liu Yimin and Lü Tongliu were to head to Paris that evening. Before leaving, the chairman of the judging committee and embassy staff saw Liu Yimin off at the airport.

Ambassador Lin said, "Yimin, there's something else I need to tell you. This afternoon, the head of the Bellini family came to the embassy and said they wanted to return three items from their family collection to China. These items were looted when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing."

"This is the surprise Bellini was talking about, Ambassador Lin. Collectors like the Bellini family, who are so 'wise and righteous,' deserve a good commendation," Liu Yimin chuckled.

"I get it, just bragging about it in the newspapers, right?"

"Call me praise, praise me hahaha!"

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, he walked toward the chairman of the judging committee, Elvino: "Goodbye, Mr. Elvino. I hope you take care of your health and continue to contribute to Italian literature."

"Goodbye, Liu. How would you evaluate this experience?"

“It was truly an unforgettable experience. I will definitely come back to Italy again if I have the time.” Liu Yimin hugged Elvino.

Dario, standing beside him, opened his arms and embraced him, saying, "Liu, I hope to see you in a higher literary hall."

"I also like your plays, and you must maintain your style."

"Your work has already been performed on Broadway in the United States. Perhaps one day, our works will compete on the same stage."

"Haha, competition drives progress."

Liu Yimin and Lü Tongliu turned and boarded the plane. Lü Tongliu had lost the excitement he had when he came to Italy and was so tired that he just wanted to sit on the plane and sleep for a while.

Upon returning to Paris, staff from the Paris City Hall personally picked them up from the airport and arranged accommodation for the two.

"Comrade Lao Lü, you've worked hard. Take a good rest," Liu Yimin said.

"You have to give up something to gain something; otherwise, how would I have the opportunity to come to Europe on business?"

Lu Tongliu accompanied him on his subsequent speaking tour in Europe, and he was full of anticipation for the upcoming trip.

However, his role as an Italian translator became obsolete, and he transformed into an ordinary member of the delegation.

After several days of traveling by plane and car, Liu Yimin's bones were a little sore. He filled the hotel bathtub with hot water and soaked for thirty minutes, but he stood up unsatisfied; the water temperature was too low to relieve his fatigue.

At 3 PM on March 13th, Liu Yimin and Lü Tongliu arrived at the Paris Parliament Building by car. The Paris Parliament Building is located on the left side of the Seine River, opposite the Paris City Hall.

The attendees included members of the Paris Parliament, staff from the city hall, the China-France Friendship Association, the Paris PEN Center, and the embassy.

The scene inside the parliament was similar to what you see on TV, even rather cramped, and the space was designed to make it easier to raise the volume when arguing.

Liu Yimin nodded slightly to Ambassador Cao, with the Mayor of Paris and the Speaker of the City Council standing beside him.

The current mayor of Paris is Jacques Chirac, who has held the position for many years and was vying for the premiership and presidency. He became prime minister and president of France, and was successfully re-elected, ruling France for twelve years.

In contrast, he supported an independent French policy, disliked American hegemony, made profound contributions to Sino-French relations, which were known as the "Golden Decade" between China and France, and he was also awarded the title of "Old Friend of the Chinese People".

"Liu, welcome to accept the title of honorary citizen. I believe that our friendship will grow even stronger from today onwards. Your concern for the fate of humanity worldwide and your statements on the Mandela issue demonstrate your pursuit of the values ​​of justice and equality, which is why we, the members of our parliament, agree to this."

Liu Yimin said, "I feel deeply honored, and I believe we share common ideas."

At 3 o'clock, the awarding ceremony officially began. Chirac, standing next to him, wore a sash made of the French flag, and the French and Chinese flags were inserted behind each of them. Liu Yimin received the medal of honor from Chirac.

Liu Yimin glanced at the white decorations on the medal; it was indeed very French.

Applause erupted in the French Parliament, followed by the playing of the national anthems of both countries. Liu Yimin officially became an honorary citizen of Paris.

After Chirac finished his speech, he invited Liu Yimin to speak on stage. Earlier, a staff member from the Paris City Council had tried to peek at Liu Yimin's prepared remarks under the guise of work, but Liu Yimin skillfully avoided the opportunity.

Standing on the speaker's seat in the Paris Parliament, Feng Wen stood next to Liu Yimin, helping Liu Yimin sit and translate.

"Your Excellencies Mayor, Speaker, Members of Parliament, Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in France, and staff, the title of my speech today is 'China and France Through My Eyes'."

P.S.: Thanks to Teddy Club Spinning Wheel for the 1500 coins, Wandering Swordsman for Beauty, and Bozai Big Shrimp for the 100 coins.

The previous chapter has been reviewed.

(End of this chapter)