On October 13th, the opening ceremony of the “Shanxi Yangquan Second Liu Cixin Hometown Science Fiction Cultural Activity Week” and the unveiling of the Liu Cixin Science Fiction Literature Museum took place in Yangquan, Shanxi. Renowned author Liu Cixin expressed his hope that the establishment of the museum would spark public interest in science fiction literature.
Yangquan is the birthplace of Liu Cixin, the author of the acclaimed works such as “The Three-Body Problem,” “The Wandering Earth,” and “Ball Lightning,” with seven novels and over forty short stories created in this region. The Liu Cixin Science Fiction Literature Museum is situated within the “Yangquan Memory 1947” cultural park, featuring a circular layout that showcases Liu’s personal growth, creative journey, literary achievements, and adaptations of his works.
Recently, at the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention, Chinese authors secured nine nominations, marking a record high. According to the “2024 China Science Fiction Industry Report,” the revenue for China’s science fiction industry reached 113.29 billion yuan in 2023, crossing the 100 billion mark for the first time.
Liu Cixin commented on the current state of science fiction literature, stating, “While it has emerged from a marginal existence to stand in the spotlight, the reality is that the genre is not as thriving as it seems. ‘The Three-Body Problem’ is more of an outlier; Chinese science fiction still has significant room for development.”
In his remarks, Lei Jiankun, Secretary of the Yangquan Municipal Committee, expressed optimism for the event’s impact, stating that Yangquan plans to incorporate more science fiction and technological elements into its cultural framework. He aims to open a “gateway to science fiction” through new equipment, technologies, scenes, and services, positioning Yangquan as a dream destination for sci-fi enthusiasts.
Li Junhu, President of the Shanxi Provincial Writers Association, emphasized that the Liu Cixin Science Fiction Literature Museum serves as an essential platform for showcasing and disseminating science fiction culture. He hopes to inspire interest in science fiction literature and scientific knowledge, particularly among the youth, and to attract domestic and international sci-fi enthusiasts, scholars, and writers to promote the growth and spread of science fiction culture.
Throughout the activity week, various events are scheduled, including a themed dialogue on “How Science Fiction Empowers New Productive Forces,” the China Writers Association’s “Hundred Writers in Hundred Schools” initiative, a gathering of science fiction and popular science writers from Shanxi and Shaanxi, a science fiction writing workshop, and an exhibition of outstanding science fiction artwork.
