Sharing a stage with J.M. Coetzee, the 2003 Nobel laureate in literature, Mo Yan revealed publicly on Tuesday his mood change after winning his own such prize.
The two laureates were brought together by the Second China-Australia Literary Forum in Beijing, which kicked off on Tuesday and will conclude Wednesday.
Mo, the first Nobel winner in literature born and living in China, said he had trouble with the sudden publicity, which put a lot of pressure on him.
"I only hope to return to my writing desk as soon as possible," Mo said, "and I would also like to do good in society anonymously."
Mo said he was even bothered by numerous requests asking him to offer help that took advantage of his fame.
"I was upset the first several days after the prize announcement, but then I realized the prize is just like a mirror that reflects various attitudes about my winning, and more, reflects the real me," Mo said.
"I still consider myself an ordinary citizen who writes. And presenting quality works is my duty and best way of giving back to society."
"I'm no superstar," he emphasized several times.
Mo believes Chinese literature has achieved much in the past three decades, and the driving force behind that is not the prize.
"Writers' creations should not be driven by awards, or criticism, or readers' expectations," Mo said.
"Good literary pieces are always centered on people and human emotions," he said.
Coetzee discussed his own views on the Nobel Prize. Coetzee spoke of the literary tastes of Alfred Nobel, founder of the prize, and pointed out Nobel's personal preference that literary works show "progress and power of the human spirit", which could be an influence on the Swedish Academy's choices.
Mo said he misunderstood the standards of the academy's selection before he visited Stockholm to receive the prize in December.
"I thought they were judging the authors' personality or political features, then I learned the sole standard of their selection is literature itself, which is also deeply based in the Swedish people's long-established practice of reading a large number of books," Mo said.
During the forum, established Chinese and Australian writers discussed subjects as diverse as tradition and modernity, the local and the universe and cultural inclusiveness. And they will also read works to each other and the readers.
"Both China and Australia are countries with a great literary tradition in the Asia-Pacific region," said Tie Ning, chairwoman of the Chinese Writers Association, the forum's organizer, "I hope the mutual exchange will help people see the changing country and its various literary expression."
Tie also said the writers communication will further promote Chinese writers to a global audience.
Australian Ambassador to China Frances Adamson agreed. "It's a milestone of literary exchanges between the two countries, who are longtime friends," Adamson said.
This is the first time the South Africa-born Coetzee, who now lives and teaches in Australia, has visited China in an official capacity. His works, including Life & Times of Michael K and Disgrace, are popular among Chinese readers.
Chinese writer Li Er said he has been influenced by Coetzee's rational writing.
四月二日，中澳文学节在中国现代文学馆举行。中国诺贝尔文学奖得主莫言，与首次到华访问的2003年诺奖得主JM库切，会面交锋，就诺贝尔文学奖及其意义分别发表演讲。库切谈到阿尔夫瑞德•诺贝尔良好的文学品味，以及他关于文学＂理想主义的导向＂对诺奖归属的影响。
莫言首次在公开场合坦诚谈及与诺奖的爱恨情缘，甚至向媒体呼吁，请少邀请我参加活动，我会用写作来回报大家。莫言的幽默发言引来阵阵理解的笑声，以及库切的＂我给您我真诚的同情＂。
莫言说，他自己绝对会回避诺奖这一话题。今天是冒着风险和库切切磋。他说文学创作不应以奖项为目的，而是应追求自我表达，追求光明。
要想写得好，先把文学奖要忘掉奖。
过去几年，因为一直被博彩机构列为最有机会得奖的中国作家，莫言深受其苦。甚至说，和一个作家有仇，就造谣他最有希望的诺奖。
去年八月，因为博彩的预测，莫言为了躲避过多地关注回到高密。在几乎忘却时，诺将悄然而至。
得奖之后，我起初心烦，想不到这么多人恨我。
莫言坦言诺奖之后，竟有亲戚朋友求他找工作，帮看病，打官司。这引发他对诺奖得主在社会，特别是在中国，该扮演怎样的角色得思考。
我就是作为老百姓在写作，不要错以为自己成了大人物。
用我家乡话来说，你要知道自己吃几碗干饭。
我还是希望能独来独往，才能冷眼旁观。
我希望能自由的选择生活方式，而作家的地位也不用抬太高。
我会继续安静的写东西，同时悄悄的做有益于社会的与写作无关的事。
我尽快回到书桌，写出好作品，才是我该做的。
他说在去瑞典领奖的十几天，他也重新认识到以前对诺奖的认识有偏差。
瑞典学院关注的首先是文学，而不是人的因素，或政治的因素。
文学本身是最重要的标准。而对诺奖的评判，来自瑞典社会上下长期大量的阅读。
比如跟国王王后吃饭时，王后就提到，她十几年前就开始阅读不同语种的莫言作品译本。
诺奖是面镜子，照出世间百态，照出真正的我，以及哈哈镜里的我。
再过六个月，新的诺奖得主名单将出炉。到时候就没人理我了。
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