THE first winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature born and living in China has spoken about his trouble dealing with the sudden publicity, which put a lot of pressure on him.

    Sharing a stage in Beijing with the 2003 Nobel laureate in literature, J.M. Coetzee, Mo Yan revealed Tuesday that his mood changed after winning the prize last year.

    “I was upset the first several days after the prize announcement, but then I realized the prize is just like a mirror that reflects various attitudes about my winning and — even more — it reflects the real me,” Mo said.

    “I only hope to return to my writing desk as soon as possible, and I would also like to do good in society anonymously.”

    He said he also received numerous requests for assistance that sought to take advantage of his fame.

    Mo and Coetzee were brought together by the Second China-Australia Literary Forum, held Tuesday and yesterday.

    “I still consider myself an ordinary citizen who writes. And presenting quality work is my duty and best way of giving back to society,” Mo said. “I’m no superstar,” he repeated several times.

    Mo also said that Chinese literature has achieved much in the past three decades, and the driving force is not the Nobel.

    “Writers’ creations should not be driven by awards, or criticism, or readers’ expectations,” Mo said.

    “Good literary pieces are always centered on people and human emotions.”

    Coetzee discussed his own views on the Nobel. He spoke of the literary tastes of Alfred Nobel, founder of the prize, and pointed out Nobel’s personal preference that literary works show “progress and power of the human spirit,” and this point of view could be an influence on the Swedish Academy’s choices.

    Mo said he did not understand the standards of the academy’s selection before he visited Stockholm to receive the prize in December.

    “I thought they were judging the authors’ personality or political features, then I learned the sole standard of their selection is literature itself, which is also deeply based on the Swedish people’s long-established practice of reading a large number of books,” Mo said.

    During the forum, Chinese and Australian writers discussed subjects such as tradition and modernity, local and universal issues, and cultural inclusiveness.

    “Both China and Australia are countries with a great literary tradition in the Asia-Pacific Region,” said Tie Ning, chairwoman of the Chinese Writers Association, the forum’s organizer. “I hope the mutual exchange will help people understand the changes happening in China and its various literary expressions.”

    Tie said she hoped that the event would increase interest in Chinese writers among readers around the world.

    Australian Ambassador to China Frances Adamson agreed. “It’s a milestone of literary exchanges between the two countries, who are longtime friends,” Adamson said.

    This is the first time the South Africa-born Coetzee, who now lives and teaches in Australia, has visited China for such an event. His works, including “Life & Times of Michael K” and “Disgrace,” are popular among Chinese readers, and writer Li Er said he has been influenced by Coetzee’s writing.

    (SD-Agencies)