The International Literary Forum, hosted by Ruxue International Media Inc, convened writers, scholars, publishers, and artists from China, Germany, the U.K., Norway, and Turkey to address a pressing contemporary question: what value does literature hold in a world rapidly advancing into an AI-driven future, characterized by data overload and spiritual disconnection?
The event commenced with the introduction of two new works by Chinese author Xuemo: Eternal Love (English edition), a philosophical novel examining death, transformation, and spiritual freedom, translated by Howard Goldblatt and Sylvia Li-Chun Lin, and The Way Out: Women's Spiritual Awakening in the Age of AI (Chinese edition), a reflection on female empowerment within the algorithm age. Xuemo delivered a keynote speech urging creators to serve as "lamps" illuminating a darkening world. "Death is inevitable," he stated. "But meaning is a choice." He further articulated that "emptiness is not apathy, but the freedom born of awakened love," advocating for compassion over control and wisdom over computation, a message that resonated deeply with attendees.
Prominent international voices contributed to the discussion. Toby Levin, a researcher at Harvard's Hutchins Center and feminist scholar, commended Xuemo's depiction of women in works like Desert Rites, describing them as "voices long buried beneath patriarchal silence, now brought to life." She linked his fiction to global movements addressing gender-based violence, including campaigns against FGM and the historical practice of foot-binding. Cord Eberspächer, a Sinologist and historian at the University of Bonn, identified philosophical parallels, noting Xuemo's concept of "creating meaning in the void" reflects ideas found in Kant's moral imperative and Martin Luther's resolve to "plant an apple tree on the eve of the world's end."
Philippe Werck reflected on literature's function in a digitally distracted era, stating, "Social media screams. Literature listens. Xuemo's work is a refuge." The forum concluded with Xuemo signing translation agreements for Serbian and Croatian editions of his work, extending his literary reach to over 20 countries. His latest novel, Eternal Love, is available for readers to explore on Kindle at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRS82P4R.
This gathering underscores literature's enduring significance as a source of humanistic inquiry and spiritual grounding amidst technological acceleration. By fostering cross-cultural dialogue on meaning, resilience, and ethical creation, the forum highlights how narrative art can counter algorithmic determinism and offer frameworks for understanding profound human experiences like love, death, and freedom. For the publishing industry, such discourse reinforces the value of translated works and philosophical fiction in connecting global audiences, suggesting a market for content that addresses existential questions posed by AI integration. For readers, it presents literature not merely as entertainment but as a vital tool for navigating contemporary spiritual and ethical challenges.
