"I take life seriously, and I am equally serious about my love for literature. I use words to document life, believing that literature can make the world warmer and softer. In Flying Low, I showcase a group of people who also take life seriously, with joy in their hearts. Not all wings can soar high; flying low is still flying," he said in his acceptance speech.
In her winning book of essays Living in a Hospice: The Last Days, Xue Shu recounts the final five years of her father's life as he battled Alzheimer's disease.
"This book captures my fears and reflections. It tells the stories of those who, despite the relentless march of aging, remain innocent, as well as those who strive to live fully. I hope it serves as a gift to the young, the healthy, those who live life positively, and all who cherish life," she said in her acceptance speech.
Dai Congrong won the award for literary translation for her translation of Finnegans Wake (Three Volumes) by Irish writer James Joyce. She noted that 60 percent of the words in this monumental work were invented by Joyce himself, which is why it took her 18 years to complete the translation, with almost no breaks. At her most "obsessive", she felt compelled to translate even the foreign letters on her son's clothes.
"The most thrilling moment came on page 167 of the original text, when I discovered my own name, 'Cong' and 'Rong', spelled out in pinyin. It felt like destiny," she said, causing the audience to burst into laughter.
"I hope this work opens a window for Chinese readers, showing them that literature can take many forms and that life doesn't have to have just one answer," she said in her acceptance speech.
In his acceptance speech, Xie Youshun, one of the five winners in the literary theory and criticism category, emphasized that without "sincerity", criticism can easily become mere wordplay, and without "goodness" it risks turning into sarcasm.
"True scholarship and true literature can only be found within sincerity and goodness," he added.
This year marks the 145th anniversary of Lu Xun's birth and the 90th anniversary of his death, with his last 10 years spent in Shanghai. Sun Ganlu, chairman of the Shanghai Writers' Association, announced at the opening ceremony of the 2026 China Literature Gala on Aug 25 that the Lu Xun Literature Prize award ceremony will be permanently hosted in Shanghai.
Additionally, the Shanghai Literature Museum, which has been in development for nearly 10 years, has now opened. This year's opening theme is also centered around Lu Xun and the Left-Wing Writers' Union of China in the 1930s.
"The Lu Xun Literature Night is more than just a ceremony; it serves as a significant opportunity for the entire society. It contributes to the development of Shanghai's literary scene, cultural growth, urban advancement, socioeconomic progress, and even the literary education of young people," Sun said.
"I believe that inheriting and promoting the spirit of Lu Xun is something that Chinese literature greatly needs," he added.
