Yan’an Literature And Art And “Chinese Dream”

In Yan’an literature and art is a key part in Chinese modern literature and art, which has drawn more and more attention from the academic world since the 1980 s. The research on Yan’an literature and art is deepened and widened as it turns from case study in the beginning to a multi-angled, multi-dimensional and systematical study; from an over-all affirmation to a statement of its limitedness. Yan’an literature and art, especially the literature and art in the liberated area after the declaration of Mao Zedong’s TALKS AT THE YANAN FORUM ON LITERATURE AND ART, exerts a tremendous influence on the 17-year literature and art, the literature and art in the new era and even the direction and course of the development of contemporary Chinese literature and art. In his talks, Mao came up with the points that literature and art serve workers, farmers and soldiers, that literature and art serve the people and that people’s life is the sole origin of works, which later all turned out to be the creed of the development of the Chinese literature and art. Therefore, Yan’an literature and art is a indispensable part in the history of Chinese modern literature, and the direct source of contemporary Chinese literature.“Chinese Dream” is a brand new concept first put forward by President Xi Jinping when he visited the exhibition “"Road of Rejuvenation”, and its essential connotation lies in the prosperity of the country, the national revival, the happiness of the people and the great rejuvenation of Chinese nation.。As a matter of fact, “Chinese Dream” started in modern China 170 years ago. In 1840 when the first Opium War broke out, Chinese nation was plunged into dire suffering and generations of Chinese fought hard to appeal for the revival and liberation of the people, some of whom even sacrificed their lives for the cause.The concept “Chinese Nation” was initially put forward by Liang Qichao, a famous Chinese scholar and it was comrade Jiang Zemin who first officially came up with the notion “The Revival of Chinese Nation”. The great Chinese dream of the revival of Chinese nation possesses rich connotation, which at least includes two dimensions and two great leaping phases. Two dimensions refer to the physical and spiritual abundance of Chinese nation. Without physical abundance, the economy cannot be developed and the country cannot become prosperous and powerful. However, a physically abundant country suffering from spiritual poverty never achieves a ever-lasting prosperity, and thus the revival of Chinese nation remains a daydream. Therefore, only the physical and spiritual abundance guarantees the promotion of comprehensive national power, and the realization of national prosperity and revival.In the first phase(1840-1949), Chinese dream means the independence of the nation, the national liberation and being masters of the nation.In the second phase(1949-today), Chinese dream refers to the realization of national prosperity, national revival and people’s happiness. The first phase serves both the premise and the basis of the second, no national independence, no national prosperity; no national liberation, no national revival; no mastering the nation, no people’s happiness.Yan’an literature and art is a key part of the literature and art during the Anti-Japanese War, in which it served not only workers, farmers and soldiers, but also politics and war. Its aim was to ensure the victory of the war and national liberation. As a result, it accelerated the realization of Chinese dream during the war. Influenced by Ya’an literature and art, the contemporary Chinese literature and art serves the people, transmits Chinese power, and inherits Chinese spirits, so it helps realize Chinese dreamin peace times. In addition, Yan’an literature and art is a cultural phenomenon itself, a spiritual wealth, and a spiritual nourishment to the people both in peace times and at war, which performs a fundamental part in the development of the spiritual civilization as well as the enrichment of the people’s minds. Therefore, Yan’an literature and art is an inseparable part of Chinese dream.