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

Chapter 574 Trip to Cuba
After listening to Liu Yimin's words, the reporter asked him curiously, "Professor, didn't you win the Chinese Golden Lion Literature Award last year? Doesn't that count as an international Chinese literature award?"

“What we need is an internationally renowned literary award. I am grateful for the International Chinese Literature Award organized by Lianhe Zaobao, but in my heart, it is far from being a true international Chinese literature award.”

There's one more thing Liu Yimin didn't say: the International Chinese Literature Award, organized by Lianhe Zaobao, will soon disappear.

After the interview was over, Cao Yu and Qian Zhongshu clapped and said, "Yimin, I hope we can see this in our lifetime."

"Professor Qian, teacher, you two are in good health!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Cao Yu and others were also interviewed in turn, but most of the interview content will not be released.

The actual awards ceremony took place in the afternoon at the Caracas Cathedral, Venezuela's most famous landmark.

Located in the heart of Caracas, the cathedral is a witness to the history of Venezuela and even the whole of Latin America, and a symbol of colonialism. Its unique blend of Spanish and Dutch architectural styles attracts many tourists.

At 5 p.m., Liu Yimin arrived at Caracas Cathedral in a car provided by the organizing committee. Gabriel García Márquez was on the stage, looking down at the audience with a solemn expression and focused gaze.

Upon seeing Liu Yimin, Márquez nodded slightly to him and gestured towards the seats in the front row.

Chinese writers were all seated in the front row. Liu Yimin sat in the first row, next to the award winner, Uslar Petri, a Venezuelan.

He was not only a writer but also a literary theorist; he was the one who coined the term "magical realism," a literary movement.

“Liu, congratulations on winning our country’s literary prize. It is an honor to sit here with you,” Uslar Petri said politely.

Liu Yimin nodded and said, "Mr. Uslar Petri, you are an excellent Spanish writer. It's a pleasure to meet you."

During a break before the awards ceremony, Uslar Petri talked to Liu Yimin about the naming process of "magical realism," and said with a troubled expression, "Márquez wasn't very satisfied with my naming. Liu, do you think this name is appropriate?"

"Mr. Márquez believed that the name 'magical realism' would mislead people into thinking that his works were non-realistic, and he preferred to call his works 'realism'."

"But in any case, Mr. Uslar Petri, your naming has already gained worldwide recognition, and even if you stand up against it now, I think it will be of no use," Liu Yimin said casually.

Uslar Petri nodded in agreement upon hearing this, then glanced at Márquez on the stage: "However, I would prefer to have Márquez's approval. Liu, he is the master of magical realism, and I would feel frustrated if he did not agree."

"Then you should properly explain the meaning of magical realism and tell the world's literary and literary theory circles that magical realism is realism, so that people will no longer misunderstand it," Liu Yimin suggested.

After a moment's thought, Uslar Petri agreed, saying, "It seems I should do that."

Inside the church, the guests attending the awards ceremony gradually arrived, and at 5:30, the awards ceremony officially began.

On stage, Gabriel García Márquez recounted the origins of the Romulo Galagos Prize and expressed his deepest remembrance of former Venezuelan President Romulo Galagos.

"Latin America belongs to the people of Latin America, and the establishment of the Romulo Galagos Prize has promoted the development of Latin American literature. The literary prize has provided countless writers with the motivation to write and material support."

If "One Hundred Years of Solitude" had not won various literary awards and received various prizes, I would have died in poverty or from war.

Today, not only Latin American writers have won the prize, but also Chinese writers. I believe that the Romulo Galagos Prize will become one of the world's most prestigious literary awards in the future.

I also hope that suffering will cease in Latin America, and that future award-winning works from Latin America will be beautiful and peaceful. My birthplace, Colombia, has experienced dozens of civil wars. And in just a century, Chinese colleagues find it hard to believe, yet this is the land we live on.

I hope that in the future, all the people on this land can sing freely and happily.

I hope that in the future, we can see the striving Latin American people in the literature of Latin American writers.

I hope that Latin America will no longer cause us heartache in the future.

I hope for everything I desire!
—Gabriel García Márquez

As Márquez finished speaking, applause erupted, and some Latin American writers couldn't help but gently wipe away tears. The Colombia where Márquez lived was, in a way, like Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, and Chile, where they themselves lived.
The Romulo Galagos Literary Prize is funded by the Venezuelan government, so of course the Venezuelan government has to step in and make a splash.

Venezuelan officials, while discussing the literary prize, also touched upon Venezuela's current economic problems: "We are facing many problems, but everyone believes the government has the ability to solve them." Romulo Galagos Prize winner Yi Min Liu, speaking at the Central University of Venezuela, said that resolving Latin American issues requires Latin American unity.

I hope that Latin America can truly unite and work together to solve our problems.

Regardless, the Romulo Galagos Literary Prize will continue to be held, becoming a literary event that all Latin American people look forward to.

The Venezuelan government wanted to use this ceremony to convey confidence to the Venezuelan people and the Venezuelan literary community, hoping they would continue to support the government. At the same time, they also hoped to resolve Venezuela's problems through cooperation with other Latin American countries.

Unfortunately, this explanation did not resonate with the Venezuelans. Instead, many writers muttered curses under their breath, though they refrained from making a loud fuss because it was a major event.

Seeing the awkward silence from the audience, the Venezuelan official glanced at Márquez with embarrassment.

Gabriel García Márquez straightened his tie: "Now I will announce the winners of the Romulo Galagos Prize. The prize for novels goes to Venezuelan writer Uslar Petri, and the prize for translation goes to Chinese writer Yimin Liu."

Upon hearing Liu Yimin's name, Cao Yu, who was sitting behind Liu Yimin, excitedly led the applause and looked at the back of Liu Yimin's head with a proud expression.

Uslar Petri and Liu Yimin went on stage together to receive the award, which was presented to them personally by Gabriel García Márquez.

Liu Yimin posed for a photo with Uslar Petri and Gabriel García Márquez, followed by a group photo of the Chinese writers' delegation standing behind Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin gave the middle seat to Cao Yu, and the two of them held the literary prize trophy with both hands, as the last bit of sunlight shone on them through the cathedral's stained glass windows.

Cao Yu whispered to Liu Yimin, "This trophy is quite heavy!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yimin grinned, and their smiles were accurately captured by the camera.

After the awards ceremony, Uslar Petri was the first to stand on the stage and speak. After expressing his gratitude, he began to talk about his experiences.

Liu Yimin then learned that this guy was not only a writer, but also served as Venezuela's Minister of Education and Minister of Finance, a presidential secretary, and one of the presidential candidates in 1964, and was a friend of Romulo Gallegos.

Uslar Petri stood on the stage and passionately declared to the Venezuelan people: "Venezuela, I love you. Venezuelan people, I love you."

Venezuelan people, we will never return to the colonial era!

Venezuelan people, we will never have a dictatorship again!
Venezuelan people, we will decide our own destiny!

Uslar Petri enjoys high prestige in Venezuela and was once wanted by the dictatorship.

On the other hand, quite a few famous Latin American writers are wanted by their governments.

Liu Yimin handed the trophy to Cao Yu for safekeeping. After Uslar Petri came down, he stood up, greeted the audience behind him, and quickly went on stage.

Standing on the stage, Liu Yimin first expressed his gratitude to Márquez and others for the invitation and to the Venezuelan government. He then spoke about his insights and experiences in Latin America, describing its culture and natural scenery—the rainforests of Brazil and the savannahs of Argentina.

"Actually, the place I most want to go is Easter Island in Chile, but unfortunately it's too far from the Latin American mainland. I have a strong interest in the stone statues on Easter Island and hope that one day the mystery of the statues can be truly solved."

In fact, China also has many stone figures, as well as animals of various shapes. They are called stone statues and stand in front of imperial tombs.

"

Liu Yimin bridged the gap between everyone by sharing a common culture, and finally shared his feelings about literature.

"Latin America is a temple of literature. I am very happy to be able to exchange ideas with outstanding colleagues here, which has helped me to further improve my literary skills."

Finally, thank you all again for liking my novel, "Beloved."

Below the stage, Cao Yu kept his eyes fixed on Liu Yimin, constantly wiping the trophy with his handkerchief. Qian Zhongshu, standing beside him, said irritably, "Stop wiping! You'll peel off the trophy if you keep doing that!"

"Zhongshu, is there anything you want Xiao Yang to bring back when you transit through the US?"

"What's wrong?" "I was worried you didn't have enough US dollars. Yimin just got $100,000. If you need it, I can have him lend you some!"

Qian Zhongshu said seriously, "Jiabao, I'm really unlucky to have come out with you two!"

"Hahaha!" Cao Yu couldn't hide his joy.

After the speech, the evening's event officially began. Venezuelan pop music, mostly a blend of Spanish and local styles, filled the cathedral.

Writers kept coming over to talk to Liu Yimin, and Gabriel García Márquez stood beside him, smiling as he introduced him to Latin American writers, though he wasn't familiar with many of them.

"This is Cuban writer Alejo, who has written many works against dictatorship," introduced Chilean writer José.

"Hello there!"

"Hello, Liu, it's a pleasure to meet you in Latin America!" Alejo said warmly.

Latin American writers who usually come to exchange ideas just get to know each other briefly and then leave. Alejo stood next to Liu Yimin, sometimes exchanging ideas and sometimes introducing the Latin American writers to Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin was curious about what Alejo was planning, but since the other party didn't say anything, he didn't ask.

After a long while, as the awards ceremony was about to end, Alejo looked at the departing crowd with a mixture of urgency and hesitation. Liu Yimin couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Alejo, is there something you need?"

"Liu, I'd like to invite Chinese writers to visit Cuba along the way. I wonder if you'd be willing to make a detour?" Alejo asked expectantly.

Before Liu Yimin could speak, Cao Yu frowned. In the early 1980s, relations between China and Cuba had improved somewhat, but not fully.

Moreover, the invitation was made at the last minute, and the delegation was not prepared.

Seeing Cao Yu's hesitation, Liu Yimin said, "Mr. Alejo, our trip is nearing its end, and we need to consider whether to make an impromptu visit."

Alejo's invitation was intended to promote exchanges between the Chinese and Cuban literary circles, and also contained an official implication that the two countries hoped to normalize relations through exchanges at all levels.

In other words, with the Soviet Union failing, Cuba was eager to restore relations with China.

Alejo seemed to have anticipated the outcome, and said with a hint of regret, "Chinese colleagues, the Cuban literary community welcomes you at any time."

On the way back to the hotel, Márquez said to Cao Yu, "Dean Wan, you could actually take a trip to Cuba."

If the Chinese delegation of writers goes to Cuba, Márquez will go with them. On the one hand, Márquez feels there are still many things he hasn't said to Liu Yimin; on the other hand, he hasn't been to Cuba in a long time.

Back at the hotel, Cao Yu made a phone call to the embassy. After hearing the call, Ambassador Hu suggested that Cao Yu should go to Cuba, as this could help improve relations between the two countries.

"I'd better first report to the domestic foreign ministry and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles through the relevant channels." Ambassador Hu decided to be cautious and consult with the domestic authorities first.

It's 9:30 PM now, just as the day is beginning in China. Ambassador Hu's contact at this time comes as various departments across the country are already at work.

The next day, Ambassador Hu came to the hotel and informed them that China had approved their visit to Cuba.

"Our current reform and opening up is about making friends, and the more friends the better. Although Cuba has a different ideology from most Latin American countries, it plays a significant role in Latin American affairs." Ambassador Hu conveyed the message from China to the delegation.

Cao Yu glanced at Liu Yimin, who then got up, picked up the hotel phone, and called Alejo to tell him that the Chinese writers' delegation had agreed to visit Cuba.

Alejo said excitedly, "Liu, on behalf of the Cuban literary community and the Cuban people, I welcome your arrival. The Chinese and Cuban people have a deep friendship, and this friendship should continue."

“Mr. Alejo, we need to apply for visas to travel to Cuba.”

"The Cuban embassy is fully cooperative; no documents are required, and the process will be completed this morning. There's a flight this afternoon that goes directly to Havana. Liu, what place would you like to visit?"

"I'd like to visit the Cuban Chinese Laborers Memorial and Cuba's Chinatown. Of course, you can arrange the specific itinerary!"

When Márquez heard that they had agreed to go to Cuba, he happily went with them to the Cuban embassy to apply for visas.

Cuba is very close to Venezuela, about a three-hour flight away. As they flew over Havana, Cuba, Liu Yimin looked down at the port and asked, "Is this Port Mariel?"

Alejo glanced at it: "Yes, this is it."

"I heard you've released many criminals to America?"

Alejo laughed and said, "They are a group of people who pursue freedom, and we should give them a chance."

In 1980, due to domestic political pressure and overcrowded prisons, Cuba opened the Port of Mariel to alleviate social tensions, allowing hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including serious criminals and prostitutes, to smuggle themselves to the United States, turning Florida, just over 200 kilometers away, into a crime-ridden city.

Castro's move truly disgusted the United States, a retaliation for the decades-long economic and military blockade imposed on him.

Cuba's ability to survive right under the nose of the United States demonstrates its resilience from top to bottom.

When the plane landed at Havana Airport, the top officials of the Cuban literary community and the Havana municipal and cultural departments lined up in front of the plane to welcome it, with "The Internationale" playing over loudspeakers.

Ah Cheng muttered, "Such a big show of force?"

Alejo said with a smile, "We have enough sincerity to hope that our Chinese counterparts have a pleasant and successful trip to Cuba."

Cuba's high-level welcome also had its own ulterior motives: a few words from a writer could salvage their image among the Chinese public.

Cao Yu and Qian Zhongshu were quite familiar with several Cuban literary figures. When their relationship was good, they had visited China, and Cao Yu's play "Thunderstorm" was even performed in Cuba.

"Liu, welcome to Cuba. Congratulations on winning the Romulo Galagos Prize, the highest literary award in Latin America," said the top official of the Cuban Ministry of Culture, shaking hands with him.

"Thank you!"

Marquez shook hands and hugged the Cubans, and looking at the Cuban airport, he said, "It's exactly as I remember it."

It means that after decades, it's still just as dilapidated as it was back then!

Havana's streets are crowded and dilapidated, and the old houses are insufficient for residents' needs, much like the situation in Beijing's traditional courtyard houses, with rampant illegal construction outside.

On their way back, they passed the Cuban Chinese Laborers Memorial. Members of the Chinese delegation got out of their car and bowed to the memorial, saying they would come back the next day to lay flowers.

The Chinese Laborers Memorial in Cuba commemorates the Chinese laborers who joined the Cuban independence movement. They were trafficked to Cuba and united with the local Cubans for freedom, launching attacks against the colonizers.

The Chinese laborers' heroic fighting earned them the respect of the Cuban people, and the back of the monument bears an inscription written by Cuban politician Gonçalo de Guisada.

Not a single Chinese Cuban was a deserter, and not a single Chinese Cuban was a traitor.

Sitting in the car, the delegation members had mixed feelings. Acheng said, "How hateful! How pathetic! How tragic!"

Ma Shitu patted Acheng on the shoulder and said to everyone, "I hope the term 'piglet' will no longer be used in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yimin sighed inwardly, "Without Latin America, who would have thought that Southeast Asia would emerge as another region!"

Ma Shitu lived until 2024, and according to his lifeline, he was able to hear the term "piglet" again.

What's even more infuriating is that the park's owner is...
As the vehicle passed a dimly lit area, Márquez pointed out to them, "This is Cuba's Chinatown, but unfortunately it has declined now."

After Cuba's independence, the Chinese community remained an important part of Cuba. Skilled in business, they were a relatively wealthy group. Following the Cuban Revolution, a large number of Chinese left Cuba, most going to the United States or Europe.

Aside from the monuments, the only other trace left by Chinese people in Cuba is this Chinatown, which has almost no Chinese population.

(End of this chapter)