Published : 2024-12-06

On December 6, 1982, the results of China's first "Mao Dun Literature Prize" were announced.

The "Mao Dun Literature Prize" is organised by the China Writers Association and was established in accordance with the wishes of the renowned modern writer Mao Dun (茅盾).

Knowing that he was terminally ill, Mao Dun donated 250,000 CNY of his royalties in 1981 to establish the literary award in order to encourage the creation of outstanding contemporary long novels.

The Mao Dun Literature Prize is the first literary award in China named after an individual and remains one of the highest honours in Chinese literature today.

The first Mao Dun Literature Prize was awarded to six recipients: Xu Mao and His Daughters by Zhou Keqin (周克芹), The East by Wei Wei (魏巍) , Li Zicheng Volume 2 by Yao Xueyin (姚雪垠), The General's Chant by Mo Yingfeng (莫應豐), Spring in Winter by Li Guowen (李國文), and Furong Town by Gu Hua (古華), totalling six long novels.