On the afternoon of April 2nd, the opening ceremony of the 18th Renmin University of China Literature Festival themed “Literature and Expedition” was held at the Music Hall of the School of Arts. Zheng Shuiquan, Vice Chairperson of Renmin University of China, attended and delivered a speech. Notable attendees included Xu Zechen, Editor-in-Chief of People’s Literature magazine, winner of the 10th Mao Dun Literature Prize and author of the novel Northward; Gao Zhiting, lead actor of the TV adaptation Northward; Yan Mei, Party Committee Secretary of the School of Liberal Arts, and Chen Jianlan, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, along with over 150 faculty and student representatives.

In his address, Zheng Shuiquan emphasized that “literature itself is a perpetual expedition transcending boundaries,” noting that literary creation requires the inspiration of expeditionary spirit while explorations need literary nourishment. Since its inception in 2006, he remarked, the Literature Festival has evolved from a campus cultural landmark into a benchmark brand for humanistic education in Chinese universities, continuously expanding its influence and visibility while enriching the spiritual lives of teachers and students.

In her opening remarks, Yan Mei emphasized the importance of leveraging the institution’s inherent “red heritage” and patriotic ethos to sustain and advance China’s century-old tradition of “red literature”, namely works imbued with socialist ideals. She urged faculty and students to cultivate grand aspirations of serving and strengthening the nation, encouraging them to become proactive strivers who shoulder responsibility through action.

Chen Jianlan provided an overview of this year’s Literature Festival. He highlighted that the event aims to unlock new possibilities for literary creation through a profound exploration of literary spirit, while revitalizing literature’s educational role in shaping minds and values. By delving into the depths of literary tradition, he noted, the festival seeks to bridge creative innovation with the timeless mission of nurturing socially engaged thinkers.

Following the ceremony, a dialogue session titled “Northward and a Generation’s Expedition” featured author Xu Zechen, producer Zhang Shuwei, and actor Gao Zhiting discussing the vitality and intergenerational legacy within the Grand Canal epic narrative. Moderated by Professor Jiang Ji from RUC’s School of Liberal Arts, the panelists shared diverse perspectives on literary creation.

Xu Zechen reflected that the vivid details of the Grand Canal in his novel Northward stemmed from childhood memories——small boats gliding through water, fingertips stained purple by mulberries, and the tactile imprint of riverside labor on skin. These authentic experiences, he noted, form the bedrock of literary creation. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, he emphasized, is not merely a geographical landmark but a bridge of cultural convergence.

Zhang Shuwei shared insights into adapting Northward for television, explaining how elements like the echoing whistles of ships and riverside dwellings were woven into the drama’s narrative fabric. 

Gao Zhiting, from the perspective of character development, dissected the psychological evolution of the canal-born protagonist—— a journey from passively enduring life to actively breaking boundaries. The cry to “charge outward,” he observed, symbolizes not just physical migration but a profound awakening of the spirit.

During the Q&A session, participants engaged with topics ranging from character naming conventions to literary adaptations and acting interpretations. Attendees received commemorative gifts including copies of Northward and limited-edition T-shirts from the TV series production team, concluding with group photos and autograph sessions amid enthusiastic applause.

Originating in 2006, the RUC Literature Festival has become renowned for its distinctive themes, profound exploration of literary essence, and compassionate engagement with social realities. Through multidimensional presentations of literary charm and humanistic spirit, it has consistently provided intellectual nourishment to the academic community. The 18th edition forms part of the 65th anniversary celebrations of RUC’s School of Liberal Arts. Upcoming events will include drama performances, book premieres, and over a dozen themed activities, with details to be announced subsequently.