On May 28, during an online lecture, sinologist and translator Indrė Balčikonytė-Huang introduced the life and career of one of China's most renowned writers, Yu Hua.
She discussed the distinctive features of his writing, his literary breakthroughs, his most important works, and the themes they explore. The lecture was a true gift and a rare opportunity for enthusiasts of Chinese literature, students of Sinology, and anyone interested in contemporary Chinese culture. Participants learned about the development of avant-garde literature in China, Yu Hua's creative transformation, the challenges of translating his works, distinctive features of the Lithuanian edition's cover design and received recommendations for his most significant novels and their film adaptations.
At the beginning of the lecture, the speaker presented Yu Hua's biography, his family background, and the beginnings of his literary career. One of the most significant turning points in his writing is considered to be his transformation from an avant-garde author to a more mature writer—shifting from manipulating his characters to developing them as fully realized individuals, and from a complex literary style to a simpler and more accessible one.
The lecture highlighted Yu Hua's most important novels that have gained international recognition, including To Live (Huòzhě, 活着1992), Chronicle of a Blood Merchant (Xǔ Sānguān mài xuè jì, 许三观卖血记1995), Brothers (Xiōngdì, 兄弟 2005–2006), and Cries in the Drizzle (Zài xìyǔ zhōng hūhǎn, 在细雨中呼喊1991).
Indrė Balčikonytė-Huang then provided a detailed introduction to To Live, emphasizing its key aspects: autobiographical elements, Chinese history as a source of inspiration, family values, traditions of Chinese society, the role of women, and prevailing social norms.
Overall, the lecture offered a comprehensive analysis of Yu Hua's literary works, tracing his creative development and major literary breakthroughs. Indrė Balčikonytė-Huang's presentation demonstrated how much valuable insight can be gained through both close reading of Yu Hua's works and direct communication with the author. It also showed how the perspectives of a translator and an author may differ while complementing one another, ultimately providing the audience with a deeper understanding of contemporary Chinese literature and the challenges of literary translation.
Lecture recording (in Lithuanian) in Youtube channel https://youtu.be/47ElnfbNl28