Wang Jibing, 56, who works as a food delivery person in China, has received the Lu Xun Literary Award, one of the country’s most prestigious literary honors. His poetry collection ‘Low Flight’ has been given this honour. He wrote many of the poems in this book on small pieces of paper in his free time between food deliveries. Wang became a food delivery rider around 2019. His poems became quite popular on social media. His new book ‘Low Flight’ is based on the everyday troubles, struggles and life of delivery riders. He published this book in 2024. For this, he talked to about 200 delivery riders and recorded their experiences in his poems. There is a line from one of his poems – Who said that spreading wings only means flying high? Flying down is also flying. Poem written after rebuke from customer – went viral Wang was born in Jiangsu province of China. Due to financial constraints he had to leave studies at the age of 14. After this, he did many odd jobs like construction labour, scrap picking and selling goods on the roadside. Later he became a food delivery rider. However, his fondness for reading and writing never ended. In 2022, his poem ‘Man in a Hari’ went viral on social media. This poem was inspired by an incident in 2019. At that time he was doing food delivery work in Kunshan city of Jiangsu. A customer had entered an incorrect address. To find the right house, Wang had to wander through three residential buildings and climb 18 floors of stairs. When he finally arrived with the food, the customer scolded him for being late. While returning home, he expressed his anger and pain in words. From this his poem ‘Man in a Hari’ was born. This poem went viral on social media. This was the beginning of his literary journey. After this, his first poetry collection ‘Man in a Hari: Poems of a Food Delivery Rider’ was published in 2023. There is a line from a poem in this book – Every common man running on the road carries a small light in his hand. This light first shows us the way and then gradually illuminates the whole world. Wang has written more than 6 thousand poems. Till now he has written more than 6 thousand poems. Many of his works have been published in prestigious literary magazines. “People may not remember me, but they do remember a food delivery rider speeding past,” Wang says. This thought inspired him to write a book on the lives of lakhs of delivery workers. Wang says, I want that after reading this book, people should show more understanding and patience towards delivery riders, so that the disputes with them will be reduced. Will not leave job even after receiving award After winning the award, Wang told state media Global Times that he was very nervous until the news of receiving the award came. He told that the increasing media attention also brought mental pressure for him. He made it clear that despite receiving the award he would not leave his job. He says that he wants to continue food delivery work till the age of 60. Wang said, now I don’t need this job to make a living, but I like this work. This keeps me active and fit. I want to live a down to earth life and this award won’t change that. Recognition of labor writers is increasing in China Wang Jibing is part of a new generation of blue-collar workers who have gained recognition for their literary writing in recent years. His works reveal the struggles, pressures and truth of life of millions of people working in China’s booming gig economy. In the year 2023, the autobiography of former delivery worker Hu Anyan was published ‘I Deliver Parcels in Beijing’. This book became a bestseller in China and was also a topic of discussion abroad. Its English translation was also published last year. Similarly, in 2017, migrant laborer Phan Yousu’s autobiographical article ‘I am Phan Yousu’ went viral on the internet in China. It received such a huge response that Phan had to leave her home for a while to escape the constant media barrage. Lu Xun The Lu Xun Literary Award, which has been awarded to Wang Jibing, China’s highest literary honor, is named after China’s great litterateur Lu Xun. He is considered the most influential writer of 20th century China. He attacked the shortcomings and social evils of traditional Chinese society through his satirical novels and stories. The Lu Xun Literary Award is organized by the China Writers Association. The award is given every four years and is considered one of China’s highest literary honors. It was started to honor the outstanding works of contemporary Chinese literature. According to the government news agency Xinhua, this award has long been considered the biggest measure of China’s mainstream literature and has special significance in the literary world.
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