Chinese Revolutionary Art – 1975

Posted on 27/11/2019 by Michael

Chairman Mao Tse-tung

Chinese Revolutionary Art – 1975

So far the emphasis on this blog has been on those examples of Socialist Realist art that I have encountered on various visits to Albania in the past few years – especially the ‘lapidars’ (public monuments and sculptures). One of the drivers for starting this project was the fear that due to both active political vandalism and simple lack of care many of these unique works of socialist art were likely to disappear in the near future and would be lost to posterity.

The Albanian Lapidar Survey of 2014 meant that, at least, those monuments that still existed and were identified at the time would be recorded in as much detail as possible, including a comprehensive photographic record of their condition in 2014. The fate of those lapidars has varied in the intervening years, some suffering further decay others suffering inappropriate (if at times well meaning) and destructive ‘renovation’.

With many of the lapidars I have visited I have attempted to carry out a deep reading of what they represent and have tried to put them in their historical context. I don’t even try to maintain that I have always got it right but in lieu of any other such record (much information about the more than 650 lapidars covered in the ALS investigation – and many other works of art, such as bas reliefs, mosaics, etc. – having been destroyed or lost in the chaotic years of the 1990s) I hope my efforts can help in reconstructing a comprehensive data base for the future. Although many have already been written about on this blog there are still many to follow.

Travelling quite extensively around the country I have encountered artistic elements of the socialist past that were outside the remit of the ALS. That includes the likes of the mosaics (Bestrove, Tirana Historical Museum and on the Bashkia in Ura Vajgurore – to name a few) and bas reliefs (for example, the Durres Tobacco Factory and Radio Kukesi) already mention as well as paintings (in the National Art Gallery in Tirana), statues (including the ‘Sculpture Park‘ behind the National Art Gallery and the 68 Girls of Fier), stand alone structures (such as the Party Emblem in Peshkopia) and murals (such as the Traditional Wedding Mural in the hotel restaurant also in Peshkopia), exhibits in museums and a number of other works that have (sometimes) miraculously survived the 30 years following the success of the counter-revolution.

By the time the Party of Labour of Albania had achieved victory over the fascist invaders in November 1944 the idea of Socialist Realist Art as something Socialist countries should encourage had become entrenched in the thinking of revolutionary Marxist-Leninists. I presented my interpretation of this when discussing art in Albania but the same arguments would suit the use of art in the other major Socialist countries, especially the Soviet Union and China.

I intend to look at Soviet Socialist Realist Art, initially, by reading the stories being told in the Metro stations, principally of Leningrad (now St Petersburg) and Moscow.

When it comes to the People’s Republic of China there are already examples of the use of art in the struggle to establish Socialism in the pages of Chinese Literature. Various issues of that magazine are available from 1953 to 1981 (the final 5 years an example of how literature and art can be used to turn back Socialism in a similar way it was used to promote Socialism from 1949 till just after the death of Chairman Mao in 1976).

The Chinese approach to literature and art can also be gleaned from the works of the writer and cultural theorist Lu Hsun.

Here I present a slide show of a collection of posters from the last, full revolutionary year of the People’s Republic of China (1975) to give an idea of how Chinese poster art had developed to that date.

More on China …..

Chinese Literature Magazine – 1951-1981

Posted on 08/07/2017 by Michael

The workers are the most imaginative

More on China …..

Chinese Literature Magazine 1951-1981

‘In the world today all culture, all literature and art belong to definite classes and are geared to definite political lines. There is in fact no such thing as art for art’s sake, art that stands above classes, art that is detached from or independent of politics. Proletarian literature and art are part of the whole proletarian revolutionary cause; they are, as Lenin said, cogs and wheels in the whole revolutionary machine.’

From: “Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Mao Tse-tung Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 86.

Even whilst prosecuting, organising and developing military tactics in the war against the Japanese Fascist invaders Mao realised that literature and art were not only important to success in that campaign but he was also laying the foundations for the construction of Socialism once victory had been won.

In this he followed in the footsteps of both Lenin and Stalin, in the Soviet Union, who had both realised that Socialism cannot be achieved solely by taking political control as well as the ownership of the land and industry – what was more important was convincing and changing the thinking of those who had been brought up in ignorance, subservience and a lack of confidence in what they could attain, if only they tried.

Education, literature, art (in all its forms) and science – which could only be achieved through massive and extensive literacy and numeracy campaigns – was integral to this new, workers and peasants inspired ‘Enlightenment’.

In no country in the world – even in Britain where the first industrial revolution really started to change society – did the ruling capitalist class make a concerted effort to ‘educate’ the oppressed workers and peasants until there had been a movement from those exploited workers to educate themselves.

Religion, in all its insidious forms throughout the world, was the only education the oppressed needed – to maintain their oppression. In virtually all those societies the control of knowledge was in the hands of the ruling ‘elite’ and their theocratic hangers-on.

Ignorance was perpetuated by; the fear of eternal damnation in the afterlife – whether a hell or as coming back as something even more insignificant than the present; imagery, be it paintings or statues in European Christian churches, fed fear and subservience; crass, sycophantic homilies from the likes of Confucianism in Asia – and its tireless variants where kowtowing is the norm; or the situation of tribal elders and ‘caciques’ maintaining their control in Africa and Latin America the aim was ‘not to rock the boat’.

But the aim of Communists is not to rock but to sink the boat.

Through knowledge, through culture, through a realisation of their power workers and peasants throughout the world can ‘turn the world upside-down’.

After Mao made the short declaration of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China in Tienanmen Square on 1st October 1949 the new state set about putting the theory into practice.

Within a couple of years they were producing material in English to show the rest of the world what they were doing, giving the lead in the production of a new proletarian culture.

Unfortunately we do not have access (as of yet) of all these magazines but a significant number are presented to the rational and thinking reader.

If anyone can help in filling in the gaps that effort will be very much appreciated.

Welcome to Chinese Literature.

1951:

(Not yet available)

1952:

(Not yet available)

1953:

Different types of birds

1 – Spring, 324 pages. Contents include:

On the ideological remoulding of writers and artists

Remould our thoughts to serve the masses

Sun over the Sangkan River (Stalin Prize for Literature winner 1951) – complete novel

2 – Summer, 158 pages, Contents include:

‘The White Haired Girl’ – Chinese Opera – which was to become one of the ‘model plays’ of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

Chu Yuan: Great Patriotic Poet – a poet from the Warring States period of Chinese history, in the 4th century BCE

3 – Autumn (Not yet available)
4 – Winter (Not yet available)

1954:

Celebrating the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China

1 – Spring, 182 pages. Contents include:

Two stories – Lu Hsun

Chinese folk songs – Ho Chi-fang

New realities and new tasks – Mao Tun

2 – Summer, 246 pages. Contents include:

‘Wall of Bronze’ – part of a novel about the Chinese People’s War of Liberation

Short stories from the Tang period (618-907)

Comrade Huang Wen-yuan – the story of a Chinese volunteer in the Korean War

3 – Autumn, 184 pages. Contents include:

Stories for children

Life and creative writing – Ting Ling

Mrs Shih Ching – Ai Wu

4 – Winter, 218 pages. Contents include:

The lives of the scholars – Wu Ching-tzu

The realism of Wu Ching-tzu

‘The Palace of eternal youth’ and its author – Hung Shen

1955:

Looking at chrysanthemums

1 – Spring, 216 pages. Contents include:

Short stories from new Chinese writers

Tales from the Sung and Yuan Dynasties

Cultural events – news about recent developments in the cultural sphere

2 – Summer, 194 pages. Contents include:

Tu Fu (a poet of the Tang Dynasty in the 8th century) – Lover of his people

Poems of Tu Fu

Cultural Events – developments in the cultural field

3 – Autumn, 186 pages. Contents include:

Ashma, a Shani ballad

Early vernacular tales – Fan Ning

Stories from the Ming Dynasty

4 – Winter, 186 pages. Contents include:

The Test, a play in five acts – Hsia Yen

Sanliwan village, a new novel

The legend of the rose – Wei Chi-lin

1956:

State cattle farm

1 – Spring (Not yet available)
2 – Summer (Not yet available)
3 – Autumn, 231 pages. Contents include:

Poems and folk tales from the Uighur national minority

A Thousand Miles of Lovely Land – a novel written by Yang Shuo, a Chinese Volunteer in the Korean Fatherland Liberation War

Reminiscences of Lu Hsun

4 – Winter, 268 pages. Contents include:

Articles on; ‘Building a Socialist literature’ and ‘The key problems in literature and art’

Four short stories by Lu Hsun

Fifteen Strings of Cash – the libretto of a Kunchu Opera

A series of wood engravings commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of Lu Hsun

Index for 1956 issues.

1957:

Through co-operation the electric light is fixed

1 – Spring, 229 pages. Contents include:

An article on the important role of art and literature in the building of Socialism

Kuan Han-Ching – Outstanding Dramatist of the Yuan Dynasty

Stories about Children

2 – Summer, 250 pages. Contents include:

Three One-Act Plays – written by worker/peasants in Socialist China

China’s classical and modern literature – comparing and contrasting the role of literature throughout China’s history

Mongolian folk tales

3 – Autumn, 236 pages. Contents include;

Two short stories by Yu Ta-fu

Ancient Chinese sculpture

Controversy over art and literature

4 – Winter, 212 pages. Contents include;

Fifteen years since the Yenan ‘Talks’

Reminiscences of the Red Army Veterans

Five Tibetan fables

Chinese ghost and fairy stories of the 3rd to the 6th century – Hsu Chen-Ngo

1958:

Please give it back to the owner

1 – January-February, 186 pages. Contents include;

The October Revolution and the task of building a Socialist culture – Chou Yang

A journey into strange lands – Li Ju-chen

Poems – Emi Siao

2 – March-April, 160 pages. Contents include;

Revisionist ideas in literature – Yao Wen-yuan

Next-time port (a children’s story) – Yen Wen-ching

Writers forum: Notes on life – Lei Chia

3 – May-June, 178 pages. Contents include;

Eighteen poem by Mao Tse-tung

A great debate on the literary front – Chou Yan

Kuan Han-ching, a great thirteenth century dramatist – Cheng Chen-to

4 – July-August, 160 pages. Contents include;

The Peacock Maiden, a folk tale

On the Tibetan Highland (portion of a novel) – Hsu Huai-chung

Indian literature in China – Chi Hsien-lin

5 – September-October, 158 pages. Contents include:

The historical development of Chinese fiction (Part 1) – Lu Hsun

Notes on literature and art – a series of three articles looking at the past and the present

The Self-Destruction of Howard Fast – a critical appraisal of the North American writer

- Supplement: ‘Oppose U.S.-British interference in the internal affairs of the Arab Countries’, against imperialist military intervention in Lebanon, Iraq, and other countries, 20 pages.
6 – November-December, 194 pages. Contents include:

The historical development of Chinese fiction (Part 2) – Lu Hsun

Episodes from the Korean War

A collection of 43 Folk Songs

- Supplement: ‘Statement of Chou En-lai … on the situation in the Taiwan Straits area’, and two related documents, 8 pages.

1959:

Onward, towards and even higher goal

1 – January, 258 pages. Contents include:

Chinese literature in 1958 – Shao Chuan-lin

The Tashkent spirit: Appeal of the Asian and African Writers Conference to World Writers

An ordinary labourer – Wang Yuan-chien

2 – February, 232 pages. Contents include:

Travel notes: a visit to the Old Soviet Areas – Wu Wen-tao

Keep the Red Flag flying (second instalment of a novel) – Liang Pin

Notes on literature and art: New traditions in Chinese prose – Wu Hsiao-ju

3 – March, 182 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Peking Stage in 1958 – Yu Wen

Chinese picture story books – Chiang Wei-pu

Folk tales: The envoy of the Prince of Tibet

4 – April, 158 pages. Contents include:

Yueh-fu song: The bride of Chiao Chung-ching – Anonymous

Notes on literature and art: Dough figures – Yang Yu

Reminiscences: Forest of the rustling leaves – Huang Hsin-ting

5 – May, 182 pages. Contents include:

The May the Fourth New Cultural Movement – Mao Tse-tung

Essays – Lu Hsun

Writing for a great cause – Chu Chiu-pai

6 – June, 163 pages. Contents include:

The SS International Friendship – Lu Chun-chao

Profile: Chang Tien-yi and his young readers – Yuan Ying

Writings of the last generation: On the bridge – Wang Lu-yen

7 – July, 184 pages. Contents include:

Bridges galore (a Szechuan opera)

Travel notes: The inarticulate traveller – Chen Pai-chen

Notes on literature and art: Szechuan Opera – Wang Chao-wen

8 – August, 166 pages. Contents include:

The Cloud Maiden – Yang Mei-ching

Praying for rain (a Tantzu story) – Yang Pin-kuei

Stories: The shrewd vegetable vendor – Wang Wen-shih

9 – September, 152 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun on Literature and Art

Sunflowers turned into big mushrooms – Kao Hsiang-chen

Fourth sister – Hai Mo

10 – October, 168 pages.

The worker’s village (a poem) – Man Jui

Notes on literature and art: My new opera – Mei Lan-fang

Performances from abroad – Yang Yu

11 – November, 164 pages. Contents include:

The glow of youth (an essay) – Liu Pai-yu

Notes on literature and art: The modern Chinese theatre and the dramatic tradition – Ouyang Yu-chien

Stories: A bridge for Galha Ford – Liu Keh

12 – December, 186 pages. Contents include:

Programmes from abroad: The Bolshoi ballet in China – Jack Chen

Beethoven interpreted by the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra – Chao Feng

Stories: Mother and daughter – Li Chun

1960:

Be a good, virtuous student

1 – January. (Not yet available)
2 – February, 144 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Modern Chinese short stories – Sung Shuang

Pages from history: Forty days on the banks of Tungting Lake – Chang Shu-chih

Travel notes: A thousand li across Southern Sinkiang – Pi Yeh

3 – March, 150 pages. Contents include:

The song of youth (first instalment of a novel) – Yang Mo

Caught in the flood (a reportage) – Kuo Kuang

Notes on literature and art: The Great hall of the People in Peking – Liang Szu-cheng

4 – April, 160 pages. Contents include:

New folk songs

Raise higher the banner of Mao Tse-tung’s Thought on literature and art – Lin Mo-han

Notes on literature and art: The museum of Chinese History – Wang Li-hui

5 – May, 148 pages. Contents include:

Essays in memory of the Martyrs – Lu Hsun

Notes on literature and art: Our art is advancing with the time – Tsai Jo-hung

Chekhov’s anniversary

150th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Chopin

6 – June, 162 pages. Contents include:

Anecdotes of the Long March: A pair of cloth shoes – Chiang Yao-huei

Cartoon films: Mural on a Commune yard wall (a cartoon film scenario)

The new cartoon films – Hua Chun-wu

7 – July, 166 pages. Contents include:

Hail the people’s spring: The chain reaction of the anti-Imperialist struggle – Kuo Mo-jo

Poetry for Cuba: Cuba, I salute you – Emi Hsiao

Notes on literature and art: Art exhibition of the People’s Liberation Army – Tuan Chang

8 – August, 176 pages. Contents include:

Japanese writers’ delegation in China: Chinese writers stand together with the fighting Japanese writers – Mao Tun

Traditional operas: The revival of two operas – Chang Keng

Notes on literature and art: Literary ties between China and Latin America – Chou Erh-ju

9 – September, 216 pages. Contents include:

Chairman Mao Tse-tung’s talk with the Japanese Writers’ Delegation

Ar activities in the anti-US Imperialism Propaganda Week: Smash the US Paper Tigers – Chou Wei-chih

Exhibitions of modern Japanese painting in Peking – Yeh Chien-yu

10 – October, 206 pages. Contents include:

Greetings to the Third Congress of Chinese Literary and Art Workers – Lu Ting-yi

The Builders (first instalment of a novel) – Liu Ching

The Chinese style in art – a review of the National Exhibition of Art – Teng Wen

11 – November, 170 pages. Contents include:

Reflect the age of the Socialist Leap Forward, promote the Leap Forward of the Socialist Age! Mao Tun

A writer’s responsibility – Sha Ting

Red night (a story) – Hsiao Mu

12 – December, 216 pages. Contents include:

Study Comrade Mao Tse-tung’s most firm, most thorough-going Revolutionary spirit

Mirages and sea-markets (a sketch) – Yang Shuo

A short introduction to Old Chinese fables

1961:

The People’s Commune is good

1 – January, 198 pages. Contents include:

In his mind a million bold warriors – a reminiscence of the fighting life of Chairman Mao by one of his fighting comrades, Yen Chang-Lin

Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the death of Leo Tolstoy

Tearing the mask off the U.S. armed forces – the story of an incursion of US naval forces on Chinese territory in October 1945

2 – February (Not yet available)
3 – March (Not yet available)
4 – April (Not yet available)
5 – May (Not yet available)
6 – June (Not yet available)
7 – July (Not yet available)
8 – August (Not yet available)
9 – September (Not yet available)
10 – October (Not yet available)
11 – November (Not yet available)
12 – December (Not yet available)

1962:

(None yet available)

1963:

A good pupil

1 – January (Not yet available)
2 – February (Not yet available)
3 – March (Not yet available)
4 – April (Not yet available)
5 – May (Not yet available)
6 – June (Not yet available)

7 – July, 128 pages. Contents include:

A woman writer of distinction – the peasant writer Ju Chih-chuan

Face designs in Chinese Opera

Chinese translations of Latin American literature

8 – August, 144 pages. Contents include:

On the militant task of China’s literature and art today

Stormy Years – a novel about the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression

How the ‘Bai’ Learned a Lesson – Uighur folk tale

9 – September, 130 pages. Contents include:

Stormy Years – more excerpts from the novel

The Collected Works of Chu Chiu-pai (Qu Qiubai) – later to be criticised during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76)

The Collected Works of Hung Shen – dramatist and film maker

10 – October, 122 pages. Contents include:

Heroes of the marshes – a classic tale of peasant resistance in 12th century China (an excerpt)

Japanese literary works in Chinese translation

Some thoughts on cartooning

11 – November, 126 pages. Contents include:

An interview with the playwright Tsao Yu (Cao Yu) – he was also criticised during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76)

Two stories by Lu Hsun – The white light and The lamp that was kept alight

Remembering Dark Africa – three poems from a collection by Han Pei-ping

12 – December, 136 pages. Contents include:

Two short stories by Yu Ta-fu (Yu Dafu) – Arbutus Cocktails and Flight

Truth, imagination and invention

Passages from an autobiography of Chi Pai-shih (Qi Baishi) – a painter in the traditional style

1964:

The magnificent hydroelectric power station on the Xi’an river

1 – January, 134 pages. Contents include:

Writings of the last generation – Wang Tung-chao and Wu Tsu-hsiang

Introduction to classical painting

Notes on drama

2 – February, 136 pages. Contents include:

Excerpt from the novel ‘The Builders’ by Liu Ching

Writings of the last generation – Yang Chen-sheng

Notes on art

3 – March (Not yet available)
4 – April (Not yet available)
5 – May (Not yet available)
6 – June (Not yet available)
7 – July (Not yet available)
8 – August (Not yet available)
9 – September (Not yet available)
10 – October (Not yet available)
11 – November (Not yet available)
12 – December (Not yet available)

1965:

Listen to Chairman Mao

1 – January, 128 pages. Contents include:

Stormy seas – Chi Ping

Portraying the new people of our age

The lean horse (play) – An Wen

2 – February, 118 pages. Contents include:

Pillar of the south (poem) – Tsai Jo-hung

Sisters-in-law – Hao Jan

Reportage in contemporary Chinese writing

3 – March (Not yet available)
4 – April (Not yet available)
5 – May (Not yet available)
6 – June (Not yet available)
7 – July (Not yet available)
8 – August (Not yet available)
9 – September (Not yet available)
10 – October (Not yet available)
11 – November (Not yet available)

12 – December, 210 pages. Contents include:

An episode from the years of war – Li Ying-ju

The blacksmith and his daughter – Liu Keh

Dream of a gold brick

1966:

Studying for the Revolution

1 – January, 136 pages. Contents include:

Taking goods to the countryside (a short comedy) – Chao Shu-jen

New Sculptures – Fu Tien-chou

2 – February (Not yet available)
3 – March (Not yet available)
4 – April (Not yet available)
5 – May (Not yet available)
6 – June, 138 pages. Contents include:

Some problems concerning dramas

On revolutionary modern themes – Tao Chu

Introducing a classical painting: Hsu Ku’s ‘Willow and Mynahs’ – Hu Ching-yuan

7 – July (Not yet available)
8 – August, 162 pages. Contents include:

Long Live the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

China in the midst of high-tide of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

The Revolutionary Ballet ‘The White-Haired Girl’

9 – September (Not yet available)
10 – October, 180 pages. Contents include:

Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art – Mao Tse-tung

Songs in praise of Chairman Mao

Repudiate Chou Yang’s revisionist programme for literature and art – Wu Chi-yen

11 – November, 139 pages. Contents include:

Celebrate the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution – articles

Poems

Notes on literature

12 – December, 147 pages. Contents include:

Long Live Chairman Mao, long life, long, long life to him – The great leader celebrates National Day with the Revolutionary Masses.

1967:

Concentrate your hatred

1 – January, 162 pages. Contents include:

An issue almost completely devoted to a commemoration and celebration of the work and life of the writer Lu Hsun

2 – February. (Not yet available)
3 – March, 158 pages. Contents include:

The Red Lantern which cannot be put out – Kao Liang

Repudiation of the Black Line: On the Counter-revolutionary double-dealer Chou Yang – Yao Wen-yuan

Red Guards on the Long Match

4 – April, 160 pages. Contents include:

Repudiation of the Black Line: Hua Chun-Yu is an old hand at drawing black anti-Party ‘artoons

The Clarion Call of the ‘January Revolution’

We must revolutionize our thinking and then revolutionize sculpture

Articles and a photo spread about the improved clay sculptures in the famous ‘Rent Collection Courtyard’ collection.

5-6 – May-June, 200 pages. Contents include:

Tributes to Norman Bethune:

In memory of Norman Bethune – Mao Tse-tung

A Great Communist Fighter – Yeh Ching-shan

Repudiation of the Black Line: The real meaning of Chou Yang’s ‘Theory of broad subject-matter

7 – July, 138 pages. Contents include:

On the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution: Patriotism or national betrayal

Literary and art workers repudiate the top Party person in authority taking the capitalist road

The death knell of imperialism is tolling – Feng Lei

8 – August, 226 pages. Contents include:

Talks at the Yenan Forum of Literature and Art – Mao Tse-tung

Fight to safeguard the Dictatorship of the Proletariat

On the Revolution in Peking Opera – Chiang Ching

Taking the Bandits’ Stronghold (Model Peking Opera) Script and 12-page set of colour photos.

9 – September, 208 pages. Contents include:

Articles by Comrade Mao Tse-tung:

Letter to the Peking Opera Theatre after seeing ‘Driven to join the Liangshan Mountain Rebels’

Give serious attention to the discussion of the film ‘The life of Wu Hsun’

Letter concerning studies of ‘The dream of the Red Chamber’

Two instructions concerning literature and art

10 – October, 163 pages. Contents include:

On ‘Let a Hundred Flowers Blossom, let a Hundred Schools of Thought contend’ – Mao Tse-tung

Raid on the White Tiger Regiment (a modem Peking opera)

For ever uphold the orientation that literature and art must serve the workers, peasants and soldiers – Wang Hsiang-tung

11 – November, 160 pages. Contents include:

Shachiapang (a revolutionary Peking opera)

Learn from revolutionary heroes

Let us write songs in praise of the heroic workers, peasants and soldiers

12 – December, 138 pages. Contents include:

Comments on Tao Chu’s two books – Yao Wen-yuan

Literary criticism and repudiation: The ringleader in peddling a ‘Literature and Art of the whole people’

Performance in China of the Vietnamese acrobatic troup

1968:

Everyone is a soldier in defence of the fatherland

1 – January, 132 pages. Contents include:

The culture of New Democracy – Mao Tse-tung

Literary criticism and repudiation: Expose the counter-revolutionary features of Sholokhov – Shih Hung-yu

Fighting South and North (a film scenario)

2 – February, 130 pages. Contents include:

Literary criticism and repudiation: A manifesto of opposition to the October Revolution – Hung Hsueh Chun

Tear off the mask of the ‘Culture of the entire People’ – Fan Hsiu-wen

3 – March, 172 pages. Contents include:

Hail the mass publication of Chairman Mao’s works

Forum on the clay sculptures ‘Family histories of airmen’

Literary criticism and repudiation: Apologist for Bukhrarin, agent of the kulaks – Li Ching

4 – April, 134 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Go among the workers, peasants and soldiers

Literary criticism and repudiation: The banner of the October Revolution is invincible – Chung Yen-ping

5 – May, 134 pages. Contents include:

Speech at the Chinese Communist Party‘s National Conference on propaganda work – Mao Tse-tung

Literary criticism and repudiation: Expose the nature of the Soviet Revisionists’ vaunted ‘humanism’ – Fan Hsiu-wen

6 – June, 118 pages. Contents include:

Statement by Comrade Mao Tse-tung, in support of the Afro-American struggle against violent oppression

Literary criticism and repudiation: A review of ‘Days and Nights’ – Hsieh Sheng-wen

Repudiate Tao Chu’s Revisionist programme for literature and art

7-8 – July-August, 160 pages. Contents include:

Commemorate the 26th Anniversary of the Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art: Let Our theatre propagate Mao Tse-Tung’s thought forever – Ya Hai-jung

Unfold mass repudiation, defend Chairman Mao’s Revolutionary line in literature and art – Hsieh Sheng-wen

Revolutionary literature and art must serve the workers, peasants and soldiers

9 – September. (Not yet available)
10 – October, 120 pages. Contents include:

Forum on literature and art: Mao Tse-tung’s Thought is a beacon for Revolutionary literature and art – Chen Ping and Li Ming-hui

The fundamental task of Socialist literature and art – Sun Kang

We shall always sing of the Red Sun in our hearts – Chou Kuo

Literature and art must serve Proletarian Politics – Hsia Lin-ken

11 – November, 132 pages. Contents include:

The working class must exercise leadership in everything – Yao Wen-yuan

Notes on art: Greet the new era of Proletarian Revolutionary literature and art – Ting Hsueh-lei
A brilliant example of making foreign things serve China – Kao Chang-yin

- Supplement: “Communique of the Enlarged 12th Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China”, Adopted on October 31, 1968, 12 pages.
12 – December, 139 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: The course of a militant struggle – Wen Wei-ching

Magnificent ode to the worker, peasant and soldier heroes

1969:

Support the rural population and serve 500 million peasants

1 – January, 120 pages. Contents include:

On the Docks (a revolutionary model Peking opera)

Literary criticism and repudiation: Peasants criticise the Revisionist line in literature and art

2 – February. (Not yet available)
3 – March, 120 pages. Contents include:

Revolutionary stories: Debate over a piece of land – Lo Chung-tung

Literary criticism and repudiation: Lackey of imperialism, revisionism and reaction; renegade to Socialism – Chen Mou

4 – April, 120 pages. Contents include:

Revolutionary stories: The story of protecting Chairman Mao’s portrait

Literary criticism and repudiation: We are history’s witnesses

Unmask the ‘Leader of the Workers’ Movement’

- Supplement: ‘Press Communique of the Secretariat of the Presidium of the Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, April 1, 1969.
- Supplement: Fold-out photo of the newly-built Yangtse River Bridge at Nanking.
5 – May, 122 pages. Contents include:

Red detachment of women (a revolutionary model ballet)

On the revolution in education: How the old poor peasant set up a school

Literary criticism and repudiation: Sinister exemplar of Liu Shao-chi’s theory ‘Exploitation has its merit’

- Supplement: ‘Press Communique of the Secretariat of the Presidium of the Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of China’, April 24, 1969.
6 – June, 123 pages. Contents include:

‘Guerrillas of the plain’ (a film story)

Song of new horizons (Poem) – Chi Nien-tung

‘A soldier and an old woman’ (Short story) – Sha Hung-ping

7 – July, 195 pages. Contents include:

(Most of this edition devoted to the 9th Congress)

Report to the Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of China – Lin Piao

The Constitution of the Communist Party of China

8 – August. (Not yet available)
9 – September, 120 pages. Contents include:

Revolutionary stories: Moistened by rain and dew, young crops grow strong

Notes on art: Red artist-soldiers and the revolution in fine arts education

10 – October, 120 pages. Contents include:

Ugly performance of self-exposure – Chung Jen

Revolutionary stories: Raising seedlings

Literary criticism and repudiation: Comments on Stanislavsky’s ‘System’

11-12 – November-December, 178 pages. Contents include:

Speech by Premier Chou En-lai – at the reception celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

Fight for the further consolidation of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat – in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

1970:

Learn from Comrade Wang Guofu

1 – January. (Not yet available)
2 – February, 124 pages. Contents include:

‘Heroic sisters on the grassland’ (an animated cartoon in colour)

Notes on art: Drawn from life, but on a higher plane

Brilliant example of the Revolution in Peking Opera Music

3 – March, 130 pages. Contents include:

A red heart loyal to Chairman Mao

Revolutionary stories: A new family

Literary criticism and repudiation: A reactionary novel which commemorated an erroneous line

4 – April, 128 pages. Contents include:

A cock crows at midnight (a puppet film scenario)

Literary criticism and repudiation: On Lau Shaw’s ‘City of the cat people’

5 – May, 134 pages. Contents include:

Literary criticism and repudiation: Revolutionary war is excellent

The world’s people love Chairman Mao

To Great Chairman Mao

The era of Chairman Mao

- Supplement: ‘China successfully launches its first man-made Earth satellite’, press communique, April 25, 1970.
6 – June, 150 pages. Contents include:

Leninism or Social-Imperialism?

Notes on art: Singing battle songs, boldly press on – Niu Chin

The stagecraft of a model Revolutionary Opera -Shu Hao-chin

- Supplement: ‘People of the World, unite and defeat the U.S. aggressors and all their running dogs!”, statement by Mao Tsetung, May 20, 1970, 4 pages.
7 – July. (Not yet available)
8 – August, 136 pages. Contents include:

In Commemoration of the 28th Anniversary of the publication of ‘Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art’: Remould world outlook

The Red Lantern (May 1970 script)

9 – September, 128 pages. Contents include:

Literary criticism and repudiation: The Red Army, led by Chairman Mao is an army of heroes – Chung An

Essays: Always marching along the road of serving the workers, peasants and soldiers

10 – October, 112 pages. Contents include:

‘Worker with a loyal heart’ – Hsiang Chun

A story of Sino-Vietnamese friendship

Unforgettable days in Shihchiacha – Yan Teh-ming

11 – November. (Not yet available)
12 – December. (Not yet available)

1971:

Learning how to prepare for war

1 – January. (Not yet available)
2 – February, 122 pages. Contents include:

Philosophy in the hands of the masses: Two bothers study philosophy

Notes on art: The colour film ‘Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy‘

Literary criticism and repudiation: Expose the plot of U.S. and Japanese reactionaries to resurrect the dead past – Tao Ti-wen

3 – March, 120 pages. Contents include:

Leader of the Hsiatingchia production brigade

Revolutionary stories: Red Hearts and Green Sprouts

News from the Vietnam Front: Sing battle songs

4 – April, 126 pages. Contents include:

Stories: Third Time to School – Lu Chao-hui

Raiser of sprouts – Chang Wei-wen

Poems: Our Olunchun Girl – Yu Tsung-hsin

Sketches: A night in ‘Potato’ village – Tai Mu-jen

5 – May, 126 pages. Contents include:

‘Tunnel Warfare’ (a film scenario)

Notes on art: A film of great beauty – Ting Yuan-chang

6 – June, 120 pages. Contents include:

In Commemoration of the Centenary of the Paris Commune

The principles of the Paris Commune are eternal

Battle Flag (a poem) – Yu Tsung-hsin

Salute to the literature of the Paris Commune – Hua Wen

7 – July, 132 pages. Contents include:

‘On the Long March with Chairman Mao‘ – Chen Chang-feng

Literary criticism and repudiation: Hero or renegade? – Hsiao Wen

8 – August, 144 pages. Contents include:

In his mind a million bold warriors – Yen Chang-lin

Notes on literature and art: She sings on the university platform

Fight on till victory!

9 – September. (Not yet available)
10 – October, 128 pages. Contents include:

Writings by Lu Hsun

Stories: A Madman’s Diary

The New Year’s SacrificeEssays: In Memory of Miss Liu Ho-chen

‘Fair play’ should be put off for the time being

Thoughts on the League of Left-wing writers

Lu Hsun – Pioneer of China’s Cultural Revolution – Choa Chien-jen

11 – November, 140 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: New archaeological finds – Hsiao Wen

A new sculpture

Literary criticism and repudiation: On the reactionary Japanese film ‘Gateway to Glory’ – Tao Ti-wen

12 – December, 132 pages. Contents include:

Beat the Aggressors (a film scenario)

Revolutionary reminicences: A little hero to remember – Li Chih-kuan and Chang Feng-ju

Notes on opera: In praise of the Korean People’s fight against aggression – Hsin Wen-liang

1972:

Another good harvest

1 – January, 118 pages. Contents include:

Two stories by Lu Hsun:

Medicine

My Old Home

Notes on the arts: Militant songs and dances from Romania – Hu Wen

Revolutionary Japanese Ballet – Shih Nan

2 – February, 128 pages. Contents include:

Men of Red Hill Island (a story) – Jen Pin-wu

Revolutionary reminiscences: Liu Hu-lan – Tsin Ching

Notes on art: Art recreated – Ah Jung

3 – March, 124 pages. Contents include:

The Stockman (an excerpt from the novel The Sun Shines Bright) – Hao Jan

Poems: Ode to ‘The Internationale’ – Chou Li-yi

Song of Discipline -Tsao Yung-hua

4 – April, 122 pages. Contents include:

Literary critcism: Li Po and Tu Fu as friends – Kuo Mo-jo

From the artists notebook: In praise of the heroic Vietnamese

5 – May, 180 pages. Contents include:

‘Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art’ by Mao Tsetung

‘On the Docks’ [Model Peking Opera] (January 1972 script.)

A Great Programme for Socialist Literature and Art – Shih Ta-wen

A Cultural Work Team on the Plateau – Ai Hung-liu

On a New Front

Light Cavalry of Culture – Hsin Hua

6 – June, 146 pages. Contents include:

My Childhood (excerpts from the novel) – Kao Yu-pao

Notes on literature and art: An Opera on Proletarian Internationalism – Wen Chun

How I became a writer – Kao Yu-pao

Meeting “Haguruma” Artists

7 – July, 168 pages. Contents include:

Song of the Dragon River (a modern Peking Revolutionary Opera)

About the film ‘The White-Haired Girl’ – Sang Hu

Wild lilies bloom red as flame (Shensi-Kansu folk song)

8 – August, 144 pages. Contents include:

In commemoration of the Thirtieth Anniversary of Chairman Mao’s ‘Talks at the Yenan forum on literature and art’

Adherence to Chairman Mao’s revolutionary line means victory

Our artistic heritage and our new art

A general review of new art works – Pien Cheh

9 – September, 156 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun‘s essays: Literature and Sweat

Literature and Revolution

The Revolutionary Literature of the Chinese Proletariat and the Blood of the Pioneers

Literary criticism: Writing for the Revolution – Li Hsi-fan

10 – October, 160 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Song of the Dragon River – Pei Kuo

Discovery of a 2000 year-old tomb – Wen Pien

11 – November, 134 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: New puppet shows – Wen Shih -ching

Innovations in traditional painting

Creating new paintings in the traditional style -Chien Sung-yen

12 – December, 118 pages. Contents include:

Stories by Lu Hsun: Kung I-chi

A Small Incident

In the Tavern

Literary criticism: Intellectuals of a bygone age – Li Hsi-fan

1973:

Defend and develop the island together

1 – January, 128 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: New developments in handicraft arts – Pien Min

Two new ivory carvings – Pien Chi

A soldier and a poet – Lin Kuo-liang

2 – February, 116 pages. Has a small amount of underlining. Contents include:

Short stage shows: One Big Family (a clapper-ballad) -Wang Fa and Chu Ya-nan

Camping in the Snow (a comic dialogue) – Chang Feng-chao and Tiao Cheng-kuo

Notes on art: New items on the Peking stage – Chi Szu

How we produced ‘Women Textile Workers’

3 – March, 140 pages. Contents include:

Raid on the White Tiger Regiment (a modern Revolutionary Peking Opera

Stories: The Breathing of the Sea – Shih Min Three young comrades – Wang An-yu

4 – April, 116 pages. Contents include:

Iron Ball (excerpt from a novel) – Chiang Shu-mao

Notes on art: A New Style of Bamboo Painting – Cheh Ping

5 – May, 122 pages. Contents include:

Drama: Half a basket of peanuts (a Shaohsing opera)

Notes on literature and art: Landmarks in the life of a great writer – Li Hsi-fan

How the Opera ‘Half a basket of peanuts’ came to be written – Chen Hua

6 – June, 122 pages. Contents include:

Tales: An old couple – Li Fang-ling

Between Two Collectives – Chu Kuang-Hsueh

Notes on literature and art: The forest of stone inscriptions – Shan Wen

Home of folk-songs – Hsu Fang

7 – July, 118 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: Some new woodcuts – Tan Shu-jen

Literary criticism: Critique of the film ‘Naturally there will be successors’ – Keng Chien

8 – August, 164 pages. Contents include:

Sketches: Twinkling Stars – Liu Chien-hsiang

Nets – Chang Chi

Notes on art: Exhibition of archaeological finds of the People’s Republic of China – Ku Wen

How I came to write ‘Storm warning’ – Kao Hung

Foshan scissor-cuts – Tang Chi-hsiang

9 – September, 122 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Two portrayals of Chinese Women in Lu Hsun‘s stories – Tang Tao

New paintings of the Yellow River – Chao Chuan-kuo

Shihwan stoneware – Miao Ting

10 – October, 120 pages. Contents include:

Stories: A young pathbreaker – Hsiao Kuan-hung

Out to Learn – Chou Yung-chuang

The Girl in the Mountains – Li Hui-hsin

Ideals in Life – Liu Yang and Hua Tung

A New Teacher – Cheng Hsuan and Yi Shih

11 – November, 128 pages. Contents include:

Whirling Snow Brings in the Spring (excerpt from a novel) – Chou Liang-szu

Notes on art: Productive labour and art – Hsu Huai-ching

Chinese acrobatics – Fu Chi-feng

12 – December, 122 pages. Contents include:

Two Poems – Hsiang Ming

Notes on art: Painting for the Revolution – Hsin Wen

Tsaidan Choma, Tibetan Singer – Hsin Hua

1974:

Harbour of the Fatherland

1 – January, 144 pages. Contents include:

Azalea Mountain (a revolutionary modern Peking opera) – Wang Shu-yuan and others

Stories:

Keep the golden bell clanging – Li Hsia

Meng Hsin-ying – Lin Chen-yi

2 – February, 138 pages. Contents include:

Reportage: The People of Tachai – Hu Chin

Literary criticism: ‘Create a host of new fighters’ – Shih Yi-ko

3 – March, 142 pages. Contents include:

A vicious motive, despicable tricks – A criticism of M. Antonioni’s anti-China film ‘China’

Exhibitions: New developments in traditional Chinese Painting – Chi Cheng

4 – April, 118 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun, a Great Fighter Against Confucianism – Lin Chih-hao

Do musical works without titles have no class Character? – Chao Hua

Interviews: Introducing the writer Hao Jan -Chao Ching

5 – May, 150 pages. Contents include:

Fighting on the plain (a revolutionary modern Peking opera) – Chang Yung-mei and others

On the classical heritage: ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’ must be studied from a class
standpoint – Sun Wen-kuang

The Dream of the Red Chamber (Chapter IV) – Tsao Hsueh-chin

6 – June, 130 pages. Contents include:

Criticism of Lin Piao and Confucius:

Confucius, ‘Sage’ of All Reactionary Classes in China – Shih Hua-tsu

Why are we denouncing Confucius in China? -Cheh Chun

Why this hullabaloo from the Soviet Revisionist Clique? – Sa Wen

7 – July, 114 pages. Contents include:

Criticism and repudiation: Comments on the Shansi Opera ‘Going up to reach Peach Peak three times’ – Chu Lan

Notes on literature and art: Anti-Confucian struggles of peasant insurgents – Chi Liu

How I Made the painting ‘The Young Worker’ – Wang Hui

8 – August, 120 pages. Contents includes:

Notes on literature and art: Keep to the correct orientation and uphold the Philosophy of struggle – Chu Lan

Art derived from the life and struggle of the masses – Hsin Wen-tung

Paintings by one of today’s peasants – Jen Min

Criticism of Lin Piao and Confucius: Confucius’ reactionary ideas about music – Hsu Hsia-lin

9 – September, 130 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: A Decade of Revolution in Peking Opera – Chu Lan

Three young artistes in the Revolution in Peking Opera – Ah Wen

I painted the heroic Taching oil workers – Chao Chih-tien

10 – October, 144 pages. Contents include:

Sons and Daughters of Hsisha (excerpts from the novel) – Hao Jan

Poems by peasants of Hsiaochinchuang

Songs of oil workers

Criticism of Lin Piao and Confucius: Confucius’ reactionary views on Literature and Art – Wen Chun

11 – November, 122 pages. Contents include:

Storming Tiger Cliff (an excerpt from a novel) – Ktn Hsien-hung

Poems: Sparks from the welder’s torch – Yuan Chun

12 – December, 112 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: New Achievements in Modern Drama – Hsiao Lan

Paintings by Shanghai workers – Hu Chin

1975:

What a pleasure it is not to have to bend our backs while planting rice

1 – January, 122 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: National Art Exhibition – Wang Wu-sheng

The ‘Erh-hu’ and ‘Pi-pa – Wu Chou-kuang

2 – February, 140 pages. Contents include:

Sparkling Red Star (a film scenario) – Wang Yuan-chien and Lu Chu-kao

Notes on art: Adapting a novel for the screen – Lu Chu-kao

Creating the image of Winter Boy – Li Chun

As I acted Winter Boy I learned from him – Chu Hsin-yun

From a cameraman’s notebook – Tsai Chi-wei

3 – March, 138 pages. Contents include:

Pink Cloud Island (excerpts from the novel) – Chou Hsiao

Notes on art: Amateur worker-artists of Yangchuan – Pien Tsai

More rare finds from Han Tombs – Tsung Shu

4 – April, 134 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: The Creation of the ‘Red Silk Dance’ – Chin Ming

Some Popular Chinese wind instruments -Chou Tsung-han

Two oil paintings -Chi Cheng

5 – May, 106 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun‘s writings: From hundred plant garden to three flavour study

Notes on literature: On Reading ‘From hundred plant garden to three flavour study’ – Li Yun-ching

6 – June, 132 pages. Contents include:

Stories: The Sunlit Road

Tempered Steel

Notes on literature and art: New children’s songs from a Peking Primary School – Hsin Ping

New piano music – Lo Chiang

7 – July, 128 pages. Contents include:

The New Silk Road Across tie Skies (a poem) – Chang Yun-mei

Notes on literature and art: The struggle between the Confucians and Legalists in the History of Chinese Literature and Art – Chiang Tien

The Children’s Orchestra of Tachai – Yin Yuan

8 – August, 122 pages. Contents include:

A Young Hero (excerpt from a novel) – Shih Wen-chu

Notes on art: Chinese artists discuss their study of the ‘Yenan Talks’ by Chairman Mao

A new revolutionary dance drama – Hsin Wen-tung

The peasant songwriter Shih Chang-yuan – Yin Yuan

9 – September, 132 pages. Contents include:

The Bright Road (excerpt from the novel) – Hao Jan

Notes on art: On the dance drama ‘Ode to the Yimeng Mountains’ – Tien Nui

Wuhu iron pictures – Lou Yang-shen

10 – October, 124 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: Introducing the Uighur Opera ‘The Red Lantern’ – Chumahung Suritan

Exhibition of children’s art in Shanghai – Kung Ping-tsu

Relics of the Long Match – Wen Hsuan

11 – November, 126 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun’s writings: The New-Year Sacrifice

On Lu Hsun’s Story ‘The New-Year Sacrifice’ -Chung Wen

Notes on literature and art: Songwriter of the Korean Nationality – Hsin Hua

Terracotta figures found near Chin Shih Huang’s tomb – Ni Ta and Chin Chun

12 – December, 114 pages. Contents include:

Criticism of ‘Water Margin’

The current criticism of ‘Water Margin’ – Chih Pien

What sort of novel is ‘Water Margin’? – Shih Chung

1976:

The most spectacular of landscapes

1 – January, 130 pages. Contents include:

Reminiscences of the Long March:

Crossing the Golden Sand River – Hsiao Ying-tang

Red Army men dear to the Yi People – Aerhmushsia

National minority poems and songs:

Sing, Skylark – Saifudin

Stride Forward – Saifadin

2 – February, 140 pages. Contents include:

Criticism of ‘Water Margin’:

Lu Hsun‘s Comments on the novel ‘Water Margin’ – Kao Yu-heng

Notes on art: The clay sculptures ‘Wrath of the Serfs’ – Kao Yuan

Our experience in sculpting ‘Wrath of the Serfs’

3 – March, 124 pages. Contents include:

Two poems – Mao Tse-tung

Chingkangshan revisited – to the tune of Shui Tiao Keh Tou

Two birds: A dialogue – to the tune of Nien Nu Chiao

New film: ‘The second spring’ – Tsung Shu

4 – April, 156 pages. Contents include:

Poems – Mao Tse-tung

Boulder Bay (a revolutionary modern Peking opera) – Ah Chien

Lu Hsun‘s writings: The other side of celebrating the recovery of Shanghai and
Nanking

5 – May, 132 pages. Contents include:

New film: Breaking with old ideas – Tien Shih

Notes on literature and art: On Chairman Mao’s recently published Poems

On the long poem ‘The song of our ideals’ – Wen Shao

Some new woodcuts – Yen Mei

6 – June, 138 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Mass debate on Revolution in Literature and Art – Hsin Hua

A recently discovered poem by Lu Hsun – Chou Wen

A hundred flowers blossom in the field of dancing – Wen Sung

Juvenile art – Hsiao Mei

7 – July, 142 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: New developments in Chinese Acrobatics – Hsiao Fu

New group sculpture ‘Song of the Tachai Spirit’ – Wen Tso

What the Revolution in Literature and Art has taught me – Yang Chun-hsia

8 – August, 120 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Continue to advance along Chairman Mao’s Line on Literature and Art – Yen Feng

New paintings by sSoldiers – Ko Tien

Some Taiping stone carvings – Chi Chen

9 – September, 148 pages. Contents include:

Investigation of a chair (a modern revolutionary Peking opera) – Ah Chien

Notes on literature and art: The portrayal of the heroine in ‘Investigation of a Chair’ – Tsung Shu

‘The Undaunted’, a story by Chen Chung-shih

Poems from Hsiaochinchuang

10 – October, 132 pages. Contents include:

Spring Shoots (a film scenario)

Notes on literature and art: A song in praise of the Cultural Revolution – Shu Hsin

Pictures depicting the Cultural Revolution – Yen Mei

11-12 – November-December, 132 pages. Contents include:

The entire issue was devoted to a commemoration of the life and work of Comrade Mao Tse-tung, who died in September 1976.

Includes some of his poems and many pictures taken throughout his life, both pre and post-Liberation.

1977:

Great celebration of the victorious people

1 – January, 126 pages. Contents include:

‘The Pioneers’ [Part I], a film scenario about the Taching Oilfield, together with an 8-page selection of colour photographs from the film.

Poems

Smash the ‘Gang of Four‘ – Kuo Mo-jo

A grand festival for all revolutionaries – Kwang Wei-jan

Chairman Hua in his green army uniform – Yu Kuang-lieh

Chairman Hua leads us forward triumphantly – Shih Hsiang

2 – February, 140 pages. Contents include:

In memory of Chairman Mao: A Memorable Voyage – Hsin Chun-wen

Chairman Mao inspects Nanniwan – Tung Ting-heng

Chairman Mao shines like a red sun over the Earth – Li Shu-yi

Mass criticism: Chiang Ching, the ‘political pickpocket’ – an exposure of Chiang Ching

3 – March, 124 pages. Contents include:

In memory of Premier Chou:

Our beloved Premier Chou at Meiyuan New Village

Our beloved Premier Chou‘s three visits to Tachai

Mass criticism: The struggle around the film about Premier Chou En-lai

4 – April, 116 pages. Contents include:

Stories:

High in the Yimeng Mountains – Nieh Li-ko and Liang Nien

Sister Autumn -Chao Pao-chi

Revolutionary relics: A blanket in the Military Museum – Lin Chih-chang

5-6 – May-June, 116 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsin’s writing: The True Story of Ah Q

Mass criticism: Chiang Ching‘s treachery in the criticism of ‘Water Margin’ – Chang Ya-erh

7 – July, 134 pages. Contents include:

Mass criticsm: The ‘Gang of Four‘s’ revisionist line in literature and art – Hua Wen-ying

The truth behind the ‘Gang of Four‘s’ Criticism of the Confucians and glorification of the Legalists – Shih Kao

8 – August, 132 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: About the play ‘Maple Bay’ – Chi Ko

On reading Comrade Chu Teh‘s Poems – Hsieh Mien

Mass criticism: The ‘Gang of Four‘s’ reactionary approach to our cultural heritage – Liu Ming-chin

9 – September, 130 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: Reading Lu Hsun‘s ‘Literature of a Revolutionary Period’ – Sun Yu-shih

An unforgettable night in Yenan – Huang Kang

My recollection of the production and first performances of ‘The White-haired Girl’ – Chang Keng

Two anthologies of poems by Taching workers – Wu Chao-chiang

10 – October, 136 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: In praise of the Taching Spirit – Yang Tung-mei

A grand display of Revolutionary Art – Li Shu-sheng and Shao Ta-chen

Woodcuts in China’s old Liberated areas – Hua Hsia

11 – November, 146 pages. Contents include:

Letter concerning the Study of ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’ – Mao Tse-tung

Restudying Chairman Mao’s ‘Letter concerning the study of ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’ – Li Hsi-fan

12 – December, 120 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun‘s writings: In memory of Wei Su-yuan

Lu Hsun’s friendship with Wei Su-yuan – Tu Yi-pai

1978:

Looking into the distance

1 – January, 129 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: Some paintings in the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall – Yuan Yun-fu

The Tung Fang Art Ensemble returns to the stage – Yu Chiang

Introducing classical Chinese literature: Myths and Legends of Ancient China – Hu Nien-yi

Supplement: ‘Traditional Chinese Paintings’, colour photographs, 20 pages. Thesupplement to issue No. 1 contained 16 paintings in the Chinese ‘traditional’ style. By publishing these the capitalist state was declaring virtual war on the movement of Socialist Realism and the depiction of workers and peasants in their efforts to construct Socialism.
2 – February, 136 pages. Contents include:

Dr. Norman Bethune in China (a film scenario) – Chang Chun-hsiang and Chao To

Notes on art: Ashes of Revolutionaries Mingle Together – Ma Hai-teh

The Sculptures at The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall – Chi Shu

3 – March, 136 pages. Contents include:

Peking Opera: The making and staging of the Opera ‘Driven to Revolt’ – Chin Tzu-kuang

Driven to Revolt (two scenes from a Peking opera)

Introducing classical Chinese literature: The ‘Book of Songs’ – China’s earliest anthology of poetry – Hsu Kung-shih.

4 – April, 135 pages. Contents include:

Chairman Mao‘s Letter to Comrade Chen Yi Discussing Poetry – A forum on Chairman Mao’s Letter

Battling South of the Pass (excerpts from a novel) – Yao Hsueh-yin

5 – May, 144 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun‘s writings: Village Opera

On Lu Hsun’s ‘Village Opera’ – Fang Ming

Notes on art: Introducing ‘Sketches of the Long Match’ – Chi Feng-ho

Restoration of the Yunkang Caves – Yin Wen-tsu

6 – June, 126 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: An introduction to ‘Li Tzu-cheng – Prince Valiant’ – Mao Tun

The ‘Gang of Four‘s’ attack on progressive literature and art – Chieh Cheng

The Weifang New-Year woodblock prints – Chang Chin-keng

7 – July, 126 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: On reading poems written by Premier Chou in his youth – Chao Pu-chu

Some works from the Arts and Crafts Exhibition – Lien Hsiao-chun

Odsor, a Mongolian Nationality writer – Hsiao Chou

Introducing a classical painting: Chan Tzu-chien’s painting ‘Spring Outing’ – Shu Hua

8 – August, 138 pages. Contents include:

Lu Hsun’s writings:

Preface to ‘A collection of woodcuts by amateur Artists’

Letter to Li Hua

Letter to Lai Shao-chi

Lu Hsun and Chinese woodcuts – Li Hua

9 – September, 139 pages. Contents include:

Cultural event: Prominent cultural figures meet in Peking

Introducing classical Chinese literature: Han Dynasty verse essays and allads – Hu Nien-yi

10 – October, 146 pages. Contents include:

Conference of Writers and Artists: My heart felt wishes (a message) – Kuo Mo-jo

Strive to bring about the flourishing of literature and art (an abridged speech) – Huang Chen

The Literary Scene: News of some veteran writers

11 – November, 138 pages. Contents include:

Notes on lieterature and art: A hundred flowers in bloom again – Tu Ho

‘The Red Lantern Society’ – a new Peking Opera – An Kuei

Batik in China – Teng Feng-chien

Introducing a classical painting: Wu Wei and his painting ‘Fishermen’ – Shu Hua.

12 – December, 134 pages. Contents include:

Notes on literature and art: On creative writing – Mao Tun

Translations of foreign literature – Wei Wen

Ornamental plate designs by Li Ping-fan – Yu Ming-chuan

1979:

Bravely fighting the enemy

1 – January, 134 pages. Three poems – Mao Tse-tung

Notes on literature and art:

Yangliuching New-Year pictures – Shao Wen-chin

New productions in the Peking Drama Theatre – Feng Txz

Make the past serve the present and foreign culture serve China – Tu Ho

The role of Critical Realism in European Literature – Liu Ming-chiu

2 – February. (Not yet available)
3 – March, 133 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: New ornamental porcelain produced by Cheng Ko – Pu Wei-chin

‘At the Crossroad Inn’ – Liu Hu-sheng

Introducing a classical painting: Chou Ying and his painting ‘Peach Dream-land’ – Chang Jung-jung

4 – April, 140 pages. Contents include:

When all sounds are hushed (a four-act play) – Zong Fuxian

Lu Xun’s writings: Postscript to ‘The Grave’

A Correspondence on Themes for Short Stories

5 – May, 138 pages. Contents include:

Introducing classical Chinese literature: Tang Dynasty Poets (1) – Qiao Xianzong and Wu Gengshun

Poems of Li Bai

Poems of Du Fu

6 – June, 142 pages. Content includes:

Zhou Enlai on Questions Related to Art and Literature

Memories of Premier Zhou at the 1961 Film Conference – Huang Zongying

7 – July, 130 pages. Contents include:

Cultural exchange: Boston Symphony Orchestra in China -Yan Liangkun

Introducing a classical Chinese painting: Silk Fan Painting ‘Returning Home After Drinking’ – Zhang Rongrong

8 – August, 150 pages. Contents include:

Exhibition of Huang Yongyu’s paintingsRare cultural relics excavatedIntroducing a classical painting: Tang Yin and his painting ‘Four Beauties’ – Tian Xiu

9 – September, 134 pages. Contents include:

Introducing a classical Chinese painting: ‘The Broken Balustrade’ – Li Song

Introducing classical Chinese literature: The Classicist Movement in the Tang Dynasty – Zhang Xihou

Prose writings of Han Yu

Prose writings of Liu Zongyuan

10 – October, 140 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: Sword Dance – Liu Enbo

Introducing a classical painting: Hua Yan and his painting ‘A lodge amid pine trees’ – Qi Liang

11 – November. (Not yet available)
12 – December, 151 pages. Contents include:

Notes on art: Some Chinese Cartoon Films – Yang Shuxin

Introducing a classical painting: ‘The Connoisseur’s Studio’ by .Wen Zhengming – Tian Xiu

1980:

Deep in thought

1 – January (Not yet available)
2 – February (Not yet available)
3 – March (Not yet available)
4 – April (Not yet available)
5 – May, 132 pages. Contents include:

Introducing classical Chinese literature: Yuan-Dynasty Drama and San-Qu Songs -Lu Weifen

San-Qu Songs of the Yuan Dynasty

Introducing a classical Chinese painting: Liang Kai’s ‘Eight eminent monks’ – Xia Yuchen

6 – June (Not yet available)
7 – July, 140 pages. Contents include:

The cinema: ‘The Effendi’, a new cartoon film – Ge Baoquan

8 – August (Not yet available)
9 – September, 142 pages. Contents include:

Introducing classical Chinese literature: Fiction in the Qing Dynasty – Shi Changlu

Selections from the ‘Strange tales of Liaozhu’ – Pu Songling

Five old Chinese fables

9 – September (Not yet available)
10 – October, 144 pages. Contents include:

In memory of Agnes Smedley: Lu Xun and Agnes Smedley – Jan and Steve MacKinnon

Reminiscences of Lu Xun – Agnes Smedley

The Ashington miners’ paintings – Chang Pin

1981:

Carry out the Four Modernisations of the Fatherland

1 – January (Not yet available)
2 – February (Not yet available)
3 – March (Not yet available)
4 – April (Not yet available)
5 – May, 148 pages. Contents include:

Book Review: Researches into Tang-Dynasty Poets – Ji Qin

Introducing a Classical Painting ‘Wang Xizhi inscribes fans’ – Shan Guolin

6 – June, 147 pages. Contents include:

Introducing Classical Chinese Literature: A Visit to Yandang Mountain -Xu Xiake

On Taihua Mountain

The Travel Notes of Xu Xiake -Wu Yingshou

7 – July (Not yet available)
8 – August (Not yet available)
9 – September (Not yet available)
10 – October (Not yet available)
11 – November (Not yet available)
12 – December (Not yet available)

More on China …..

Socialist Realist Paintings and Sculptures in the National Art Gallery, Tirana

Posted on 07/09/2019 by Michael

Skender Kamberi – The Bread Strike 1942 – 1971

Socialist Realist Paintings and Sculptures in the National Art Gallery, Tirana

This post will consist of images of the paintings (and a few sculptures) from the Socialist period of Albania’s past. The first floor of the National Art Gallery is almost now solely (with one notable exception, which I’ll come to later) devoted to the period before 1990 when things fell apart.

Some of the paintings have been on display for many years and, in a sense, have become the core of the exhibition. There must be many more in storage but as politics gets into everything there may be some which are not even allowed to be on public display for specific reasons. There are a couple that show images of Enver Hoxha but there must be many more – in fact I’ve seen reproductions which are in the national collection but which never see the light of day. I hope, and don’t think, they have been destroyed.

Other political and economic reasons might prevent certain works from being seen. One subject which comes to mind are those paintings which celebrated the developments of the Collective and State Farms. In the selection below the co-operatives are mentioned but only when they are showing people, There are no images of mass industrialisation of the countryside – with tractors and combine harvesters – as those would, perhaps, make the viewer wonder why such images cannot be seen in the countryside of the 21st century as land ownership has gone back to that of the feudal period with virtual strip farming.

The images that are presented are all those that are on display in the National Art Gallery in Tirana at the moment. They are presented here in an effort to encourage anyone who visits Tirana to make an effort to go to the art gallery. It is a unique collection and one that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Unfortunately you don’t have to push and shove to get a good view of the works.

As to the structure of the presentation they are presented in the alphabetical order of the artists’ first name – only because that’s how Windows organises files in folders. This is followed by the title of the work in English. Sometimes the title seems inappropriate but that is probably down to a poor translation from the Albanian. I have given the title as printed on the card beside each exhibit. Next comes the year in which the work was painted. Two were not dated and have ‘nd’ in place of a year.

There are advantages of placing works by the same artist together. The individual style becomes more obvious and if the work cover a long period of time it’s possible to see a development of that style.

The dates are also important as with some of the early works it’s not really possible to describe the works as ‘Socialist Realist’ – the artists’ training and development taking place under a completely different social system. Comparing the dates with events that were taking place both nationally and internationally can also help in the understanding of the various elements in many of the pictures.

I would hope (at some time in the not too distant future) to look at some of these works in a more forensic manner. As it is with time constraints I will only make a few comments on some of the works if I think such snippets helpful in understanding the whys and wherefores of the image and also how such images fitted into the society that the Party of Labour and its leader, Enver Hoxha, were hoping to achieve.

Hey, I might get it wrong but if I do I would appreciate being put along the true path of enlightenment.

From the late 1960s a biennial exhibition of figurative art was held in the National gallery (many of the examples below would have been entered into those competition).

1969: The Revolutionary Spirit in Albanian Painting and Sculpture

1971: 1971 National Exhibition of Figurative Arts – Tirana

Abdulla Cangonji – The fishermen – 1965

It might be just chance but although Albania has a long coastline, in relation to the size of the country in general, and that the fishing industry would have been quite important during the period of the construction of Socialism there aren’t many paintings which celebrate that fact.

Abdurrahmin Buza – The refugees – 1957

Buza was one of those painters who established his reputation before Liberation but did develop his work to deal with events and circumstances in the young Albanian Socialist State.

Abdurrahmin Buza – Voluntary work at the ‘Stalin’ textile factory – 1948

The factory, which was established in the town of Kombinat, to the west of Tirana along the ‘old road’ to Durres, is now (and has long been) an abandoned ruin. The statue of Stalin that dominates the scene is the one that is now at the back of the National Art Gallery.

Alush Shima – Portrait of a worker – 1971

You’d have to look hard to find a miner in Albania today. Even so there’s an interesting bas relief in the ex-mining village of Krrabe, on the way to Elbasan from Tirana.

Andon Lakuriqi – Testing – 1969

Heavy industry was crucial for a self-sufficient Socialist society. This created problems as resources were not able to be directed to the production of consumer goods that people craved – especially when these were becoming ever more plentiful in the capitalist countries – whatever the consequences for the general well-being of the population. That is why images of heavy industry were so common in paintings of the period. This matter became even more extreme when first the Soviet Union and then the People’s Republic of China pulled the economic plug due to ideological reasons i.e., the fight against Modern Revisionism.

Arben Basha – I will write – 1971

The title causes confusion – but that might simply be down to a problem with the translation from Albanian to English. In Albania working men and women were encouraged to write about their experiences and thoughts there being many outlets at a local and national level where amateur writers were encouraged to send in their work.

Aristotel Papa – From constructions – 1969

The construction of new houses was crucial in the early years of the republic and these 5/6 storey buildings are common throughout Albania. There not exactly pretty to look at from the outside but the few I’ve had the opportunity to visit were more than comfortable on the inside. What also went hand in hand with the construction of the flats were the communal heating plants, especially important in the mountainous regions and those towns and cities situated over a few hundreds of metres above sea level.

Bajram Mata – Portrait of a volunteer – 1969

It will become noticeable the number of women – especially the young – who are depicted as playing a full role in the construction of Socialism. And not just as the manual labour but in positions of responsibility, reflecting how (between 1944 and 1990) Albania was succeeding to turn the world upside-down when it came to women’s liberation. Why women reverted to the ‘traditional’ role – which is the case when you look around 21st century Albania – is a question I’ve not been able to answer.

Bajram Mata – The Co-operative work – 1972

Some of the work on the Collective and State Farms would have been done by hand but the areas covered in some of these enterprises would have been impossible to have farmed without serious mechanisation. Albania wasn’t totally self-sufficient in the production of such items as tractors and combine-harvesters but it was aiming to be so.

Bajram Mata – The dance of Dibra – nd

Throughout the period of Socialist Construction a great deal of effort was put into maintaining traditional folk culture. What was represented in the paintings was not something of the past but of the present where tradition and the the goals of the future were working in tandem.

Bajram Mata – The volunteers 1969

One of the aims of Socialist Realist Art is to maintain the dignity of manual labour, in both the town and the countryside, and to challenge the idea that certain jobs were more prestigious than others. As all Socialist societies have developed the fight against the development of an ‘intelligentsia’ that saw itself better than the majority of workers became one of the on-running battles. Efforts to challenge this, by sending intellectuals, Party functionaries and those in comfortable occupations, were tried in all the four Socialist countries (the Soviet Union, the People’s Republic of China, Vietnam and Albania) but not continued for long enough to put the intellectuals into their place. The Cultural Revolution in China between 1966 and 1976 was the highest point in this struggle but even that eventually failed.

Bardhyl Dule – The construction woman -1971

Women started to take on skilled manual jobs.

Bardhyl Dule – The Partisan courier – 1973

A similar theme is explored in the sculpture ‘On the road to war’ which can be found in Tirana Park. In the sculpture a peasant woman is giving water to a thirsty Partisan. This is by the sculptor Hector Dule. I don’t know for certain but I assume there’s a familial relationship and one piece of art nurtured the other.

Bardhyl Dule – The weeding of the olive trees – 1973

I like the little joke in this painting where whilst all the others are working there’s a man in the bottom right hand corner, who is leaning against a tree reading a newspaper.

Clirim Ceka – July 30, 1978 – 1978-9

The date in the title of this painting could be a reference to the first steel being made in Albania after the ideological and economic break with the People’s Republic of China and a return to self reliance.

Dhimeter Mborja – freinds of the factory – 1969

One of the principles established with the construction of Socialism was that the workers would live and work in the same place. This is not always possible but when we are talking about Collective and State Farms as well as major industrial complexes this makes sense. Apart from anything else this reduces the working day as people have less of a commute. This is not something ‘invented’ by Communism, it existed in the early days of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and hence you had the creation of ‘mill towns’ and ‘mining towns’. For the capitalists this was a method of control – with the mine/mill owners also being the landlords of any housing. This, the capitalists hoped, would be a barrier to industrial action. Under Socialism it was a way of bringing people closer together with the creation of a true community where amenities could be shared. This also happened in the capitalist situation with the development of mutual societies and clubs. But not everyone in a community would be necessarily working at the enterprise. They would be servicing the population in other ways, such as education, health and culturally. Hence the idea of those people visiting a works to understand exactly what went on behind the factory walls.

Edison Gjergo – The epic of the morning stars – 1971

When I was in the National Art Gallery a few years ago this painting had an additional card beside it indicating that this painting, and the artist, had been criticised for its formalist style. However, presently there’s nothing to bring such a criticism to the viewer’s attention.

Edison Gjergo – The Founder – 1971

If Gjergo had been criticised for the previous painting on matters of style this one should have been criticised for its content. Here we have the worker as some Christ/John the Baptist like character. There’s something cold and dead about the expression which I don’t like, either.

Fatmir Haxhiu – Skroskie 1944 – 1966

This documents an event during the War of Liberation. This was another painting that previously indicated that it had been the subject of political criticism during the period of Socialism. This time due to the fact that the figure in the centre is that of Mehmet Shehu when he was a commander in the Partisan army. The painting was removed from display when he fell from grace in 1981.

Fatmir Haxhui – The Victor – 1979

A portrait of one of the victorious Partisans who liberated Tirana from the Nazi occupiers on the 17th November 1944. We know it’s Tirana with the image of the Et’hem Bey Mosque (Xhamia e Et’hem Beut). It wasn’t used much during the Socialist period and is now undergoing an extensive renovation.

Franc Ashiku – At the hydropower plant – 1971

The Albanians were always proud of the way they were able to electrify the country and the opening of a new hydro-powered plant was always celebrated. Immediately after the liberation of the country in 1944 one of the first aims was to electrify the country, just as Lenin had declared for the young Soviet Union after victory in the War of Intervention.

Fuat Dushka – The metallurgist – 1979

One of the few sculptures that are displayed inside the Art Gallery. There are, of course, the fine sculptures of Marxist leaders and other examples of Socialist realist art behind the Gallery building.

Harrilla Dhimo – The work of our hands – Fierze – 1979

This is another painting that celebrates the production of electricity, this time the power plant at Fierze. The construction of the dam for this plant created the magnificent Lake Koman.

Hasan Capari – Portrait of a girl – 1972

Not all the art created by painters during the period of Socialism concerned either the world of labour or the events of the War of Liberation.

Hasan Nallbani – Lifting up a garden hoe – 1966

Women were well represented in Albanian Socialist Art.

Ismail Lulmi – Landscape – 1974

A landscape painting which depicts a State or Collective farm – which made Albania almost self-sufficient in food production during the period of Socialism. Following the counter-revolution of 1990 the land was distributed amongst the population and now Albanian agriculture resembles more what you would seen in Britain during feudal times with ‘strip’ farming being the norm.

Isuf Sulovari – Partisans resting – 1971

Notice the young female Partisan teaching her older comrade to read during a respite from the fighting. Illiteracy was rife in pre-Liberation Albania and education was one of the early priorities of the Socialist state. That can be seen by the number of books that are printed in the Albanian language still to this day, totally out of proportion to the level of the population.

Isuf Sulovari – The giant of metellurgy – 1974

This painting depicts the construction of one of the factories in Elbasan – the centre of Albania’s metallurgy production during Socialism. This huge area is now almost totally abandoned for its initial purpose. Notice also the central character is a woman. Women were not reduced to manual jobs but also took on responsible roles.

Isuf Sulovari – The milkwoman – 1971

A female dairy farm worker. From the size of the herd and the structures in the background this is another depiction of a State or Collective Farm.

Jorgji Gjikopulli – Flowers of life – 1970

Sunflowers used for the production of cooking oils. There were also extensive areas of olive oil plantations, especially in the south of the country close to Saranda.

Kristaq Rama – A contemporary of the Republic – 1964

A celebration of the working class – those who had the potential to make a new and glorious future. A task, eventually, the Albanian working class were unable to fulfil. Rama was involved in the creation of a number of some of the most important of Albanian lapidars such as Mother Albania in the Tirana Martyrs’ Cemetery; the 1912 Independence monument in Vlora; the monument to the artillery in Sauk; the monument to the year 1920 outside Vlora; the bust of Shota Galicia in Kukes. Rama is the father of the present Prime Minister, Edi Rama – who was also trained as an artist. Whether the father would be proud of the fact is not recorded.

Llambi Blido – At the commanding unit – 1971

The poster on the right argues that it is only the work of the Party and the system of Communism that will ensure the true emancipation of women.

Llambi Blido – Portrait of a girl – Alma – 1994

This is the only painting in the present exhibition on the first floor of the Art Gallery that was created after the counter-revolution of the early 1990s. And it sticks out like a sore thumb. Although painted by the same artists as the painting that goes before it above if lacks any meaning. It’s the sort of kitsch that gets re-produced in thousands and gets a pride of place in the homes of some people who refuse to look at art with a critical eye. All that can be said of it is that it is ‘pretty’ but conveys nothing. It’s a chocolate box image. There’s no character in the face, we can deduce nothing about the sitter. Compare this image with the other portraits of young girls and women in the rest of the exhibition. Blido in his dotage.

Lumturi Blloshmi – At the industrial plant – 1974

Environmentalists might look on this picture in horror but in the early 1970s the building of these industrial complexes was seen as a great achievement of the Albanian people. And indeed it was. Under attack from the very first days of the revolution, especially by the British, it was crucial that the Albanian people were able to be as self sufficient as possible.

Muntaz Dhrami – Invigorate the Revolutionary Spirit – 1984

An allegorical sculpture from one of the finest sculptors produced by Albanian Socialism and he was involved in the creation of some of the best examples of Albanian lapidars. His work includes: Mother Albania, at the National Martyrs’ Cemetery in Tirana; the 1912 Independence monument in Vlora; the Monument to Heroic Peze; the monument to the Peze Conference; monument to the battle of Mushqete in Berzhite; the amazing arch at Drashovice; the monument to the year 1920 outside of Vlora; the Priske lapidar; and the obelisk to education in Gjirokaster.

Musa Qavri – Paving the road – 1972

Before Liberation there were few paved roads in the country, even in the towns and cities. It would take time to improve communication throughout the country. What Socialism didn’t achieve capitalism has not ‘rectified’ as there are still many parts of the countryside without metalled roads.

Nexhmedin Zajmi – Partisan ambush – 1956

The success of the Partisans in the fight against both the Italian and German Fascists was their control of the mountains of Albania – which were as much as an antagonist in the war as the combatants.

Nexhmedin Zajmi – Still life with chicken – 1955

Like landscapes still lifes were not really the fare of Socialist Realist art but, obviously, artists turned their hand to various subjects.

Nexhmedin Zajmi – The cascade of the Drin – 1969

These I understand to be a trio who would have been working on the construction of one of the hydro-electric projects, the Drin being the river that runs close to the northern city of Shkoder.

Pandeli Lena – The operators – 1981

Albania has extensive oil reserves and workers in the industry were often depicted in paintings.

Pandi Mele – Beyond the window – 1972

This picture borders on abstraction and I’m not sure how this would have been received in certain circles at various times during the Socialist period.

Pandi Mele – The highlander – 1971

If he plays with abstraction in his previous painting above here Mele captures the character of a peasant from the mountains.

Pandi Melo – Soldiers of the Revolution 01 – 1968

Pandi Melo – Soldiers of the Revolution 02 – 1968

Pandi Melo – Soldiers of the Revolution 03 – 1968

The three paintings above were painted as a triptych and show soldiers of the Albanian People’s Army showing them involved in various activities, practising shooting skills (note it’s the woman who has the gun), in manual labour helping in civilian activities and in study of Marxist texts.

Petro Kokushta – At the height of light – 1981

Constructing the dam, referenced by the lake below, is only one part of the electrification of the country. The distribution infrastructure also needed effort and, in this case, a head for heights.

Petro Kokushta – The assembler – 1979

The worker at the top of everything and this one is waving a red flag.

Petro Kokushta – The driver – 1971

In place of aristocrats and other hangers on Socialist Realist places the ‘ordinary’ man and woman on the walls of the Art Galleries.

Petro Kokushta – To the Assembly with a cannon – 1979

Here the attack on the Quisling Assembly, between German Nazis and so-called ‘Nationalists’, on 18th October 1944 is depicted. A section of the 3rd Partisan Brigade dragged a canon up to the hills above Tirana, in the area of Sauk, and fired down on the meeting as it was taking place in the Victor Emmanuel III Palace – which is just across the road from the National Martyrs’ Cemetery on the Elbasan Road from Tirana. The remains of the fascist, Quisling and coward Ahmet Muhtar Bej Zogu (the self-proclaimed ‘King Zog’) were buried in the building’s grounds in 2012. After Liberation in November 1944 the 18th October was declared ‘Day of the Artillery’.

Rafael Dembo – Going to work – nd

Here we have a representation of the solidarity that comes with collective labour – directed to a common goal.

Sadik Kaceli – The crossing of the striking division of Brigade No 1 – 1954

Many of the early Socialist Realist paintings concerned themselves with incidents from the National War of Liberation.

Sali Shijaku – Ilic Kici Dashi – 1978

Dashi was one of the many who were designated ‘Hero/Heroine of Socialist Work’ after the War of Liberation from the invading fascists.

Sali Shijaku – The oilman – 1966

Oil workers were distinguished by their distinctive hats and combination cape. In any circumstance not a particularly pleasant job.

Sali Shijaku – The opening of new lands – 1970

To prepare the land for the establishment of the Collective and State Farms, after the Agricultural Reforms of 1969 would have required and enormous amount of hard physical labour. What so few people achieved in such a short time is admirable. It is a tragedy that so much of that labour has gone to waste and the land they made workable now being left fallow – until some big corporation steps in and reaps the fruits of the millions of men and women hours needed to make the land productive.

Sali Shijaku – Vojo Kushi – 1969

Vojo Kushi was a young Partisan who, when surrounded in a house in Tirana by Italian fascists with two other comrades, rushed the enemy and attempted to throw a grenade into one of the tanks of the occupying forces. This is one of the largest paintings in the exhibition.

Seli Shijaku – At the Enver Hoxha Autotractor Combine – 1979

As a predominantly agricultural society it was imperative, in order to make collectivisation of the land a success, that machinery was introduced into the process. This both created an industrial working class in the creation of the tractors, ploughs and combine harvesters that were produced in the industrial centres as well as converting the peasant farmers into agricultural workers with skills commensurate with the workers in the cities. It is only this year that I’ve seen any development in the use of machinery in the countryside – and that on a small scale. What it took Socialism to achieve in 20 years capitalism has barely made any impact in 30 when it had a solid base to start from whereas Albania in the 1940s was starting from scratch.

Shaban Hysa – Beyond – 1969

The ‘Beyond’ here is not just the route of the electricity pylons but what this will mean for the construction of Socialism and the building of a new future for working men and women.

Skender Kamberi – The bread of our hands – 1976

Here the various phases in the development of a wheat crop are conflated into one scene – semi-lyrical, semi-romantic. But the title is important and it stresses that what the workers receive is due to their own efforts. The land and all its fruits belong to them as a whole, as workers in the countryside and in the cities, co-dependent.

Skender Kamberi – The Bread Strike 1942 – 1971

This is one of the most interesting of the paintings in the present collection – and I’d never seen igt before. This is an action filled canvas. There’s so much going on there’s too much to go into here. And I’m not exactly sure where this strike took place. Even before the Partisan war against the invaders took off in an organised manner there were many actions by unarmed workers against the invading Italian fascists. One other notable example was the strike of tobacco workers in Durres in 1940. There were also many demonstrations on the streets of towns throughout the country.

Skender Lako – Landscape of Pogradec – 1972

A charming landscape scene of the entrance to the town of Pogradec, on the shores of lake Ochrid, in the south-east of the country. The first painting in the exhibition to include a lapidar – which is way out of scale to the actual monument still in existence.

Skender Milori – A letter to the family – 1970

Two young women outside their tent in the south of the country – the sea and the olive trees on the terraces in the background suggest that this is close to Saranda. Young people were sent to the countryside in an effort to ensure that as city dwellers they didn’t get separated from the hardships of labour in the countryside. This was similar to what happened in China during the Cultural Revolution of 1966. As in China so in Albania some loved it, some hated it. Education given them by the revolution was then used to denigrate the Revolution’s achievements and eventually to undermine it.

Sotir Capo – The wireworker – 1969

A young woman working in a wire factory – where that might have been I’m not sure. What is certain is that there is no wire factory in Albania now. The building might, and probably does, still exist but it will be a mere shell, looted of anything valuable. The wire factory was in Shkoder and was supplied with raw materials from the copper enrichment plant at Rubik, Mirdite.

Spiro Kristo – Children – 1966

Albanian children were brought up with the idea that one day they might have to fight to defend their country. Unfortunately when it came to it they ran away and allowed their country, fought for with such bravery and with the loss of so much blood by their parents and grandparents, to disintegrate into chaos and disaster. A friend of mine was horrified when he saw this idea of children being taught about war but he seems to forget how that is entrenched in the culture of the capitalist ‘west’. He is also old enough to remember that many children in Britain, especially boys, had toy guns at a very young age – and ran around attempting to eliminate the entire indigenous population of America.

Spiro Kristo – The Brigade woman – 1976

Another example of where a woman was in a position of responsibility – here a woman is keeping a record of what the Brigade has produced and who would have contributed what.

Spiro Kristo – The days of flying – 1968

The idea of combat training is represented by the airman on the right playing with toy aircraft as they are involved in a dog-fight. In the background are lined up Russian or Chinese made MIG jets. Now there’s no such thing as an independent Albanian air force – I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t a single trained fighter pilot in the country. Now Albania’s ‘independence’ is protected by NATO.

Stavri Cati – Electrification 02 – 1969

The emphasis that was placed upon the electrification of the country in the 1960s is demonstrated by the number of paintings that were created in that time and which would have been exhibited in museums and art galleries throughout the country. Some of these galleries still exist – however many have been closed and quite possibly looted in the early 1990s. There are some, however, where materials from the Socialist period are being ‘stored’, often haphazardly, so there is a chance of the material being available to the public view in the future.

Vasil Talo – The opening of the terraces – 1966

A vast amount of man and women hours were expended on the creation of terraces in order to increase cultivable land in the hilly parts of the country. The sea in this picture would indicate that this is, again, in the south of the country in the area around Saranda. Until the the early 1990s the whole area on this southern part of Albania – opposite the Greek island of Corfu – would have been covered with olive and citrus trees. Many exist but many more have been destroyed to provide the ugly holiday resort of Saranda and further south still, the holiday ‘resort’ of Ksamil.

Vilson Halimi – On the frontline everywhere – 1976

The only family scene in the exhibition. Note the red banner with a slogan at the entrance to the village down on the left and the white lapidar in the background on the right – a little to far away to identify exactly which one it is or where.

Vilson Kilica – Declaration of the Republic – 1982-3

A painting which celebrates the declaration of the People’s Republic of Albania in Tirana in 1946. (The country was declared the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania in 1976.) This is one of only two images in the exhibition of the leader of the Party of Labour of Albania and the country, from 1944 till his death in 1985, Enver Hoxha. He’s the figure to the right of centre, under the flag wearing a long, grey overcoat and saluting the crowd.

Vilson Kilica – In the studio – 1986

This is a strange one. It’s an intimate scene of an artist’s studio where we see both the artist and one of his sitters. That sitter is Enver Hoxha, who was painted a number of times by Kilica. BUT – Kilica has depicted himself as he would have been in 1986 but the image of Comrade Enver is of him as a relatively young man at the time of the Liberation of the country in 1944, or in the few years after. Also the painting was created the year after Enver’s death. Can’t work that one out.

Vilson Kilica – The Brigadiers – 1971

A colourful and joyful picture of a couple of young women going to work on a Collective or State Farm. The various crops are represented by the different colours in the fields in the background.

Zef Shoshi – Establishing a co-operative in Malesia – 1974

The establishment of a Co-operative would have involved long and detailed negotiations and here we see the success of those discussions with all generations of the population of this mountain village being present at the closing ceremony. The Banner to the right states: ‘Glory to the Party of Labour of Albania’.

Zef Shoshi – The turner – 1969

Another picture of a female worker in a skilled occupation, this time as a turner in an engineering works. Again it’s unlikely the place depicted is still working and I would have thought it is very unlikely, also, that a young woman would be following such a profession in today’s capitalist Albania.

Guardians of the country – 1969 – Spiro Kristo

A painting which seems to be very much influenced by the early Soviet artist Alexander Deineka.

Building the hydroelectric plant – 1971 – Ismail Lulani

A character portrait with the construction work as a background.

This is the exhibition of Socialist Realist Art as it is as of September 2019. There are a few pictures which have been in previous displays but – for whatever reason – were not considered for this particular phase. A few of those follow:

In the industrial complex – 1974 – Lumturi Blloshimi

A picture created before the problems of air pollution were generally accepted as being important even at the time of industrial development in a country which before Liberation had virtually no heavy industry. Albania has little problem with that 30 years after the counter-revolution as the factories and works constructed during the time of Socialism were looted and now, in the main, exist only as ruins.

The Partisan Oath – 1968 – Guri Mahde

A painting that puts the Party at the centre of everything – the oath is to the liberation of the country from the Fascist invader but also to the cause of Communism.

Tree Planting – 1971 – Edi Hila

Another painting that celebrates collective endeavour in the countryside.

Partisan School – 1969 – Sotir Cano

This is an interesting one as Cano painted at least another version. Here we have the important task, even in times of war, of the education of the Partisans – the majority of whom would have been illiterate. This version has been displayed in the National Art Gallery in recent years.

Partisan School 2 – 1969 – Sotir Cano

This version used to be displayed in VI Lenin Party School in Tirana. Whether it still survives may be in doubt. This has the same general composition but there are changes in the genders of some of the main figures.

Worker with hammer – 1938 – Sofia Papdhimitri

Not a ‘Socialist Realist’ painting as it predates the Liberation of the country.

I also have the intention of adding to the blog images of other art works I have encountered in other art galleries/museums in the country. Sometimes they are difficult to find but there are still a few places where the art of the Socialist period of Albania’s history can be appreciated.

There are very few contemporary reference books on Albanian Socialist Realist Art – although there are albums of work from the erstwhile Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China nothing comparable has been produced for Albania – but material was produced during the time of Socialist construction. Here we reproduce two of those albums, any others will be added if they become available.

Figurative Art in the People’s Republic of Albania – 1969

Albanian Figurative Art – Paintings – 1978

NB From the end of 2021 the gallery has been closed. I have no information about exactly why but there had long been signs of the need for structural repairs. When it will reopen I have no idea. There didn’t seem to be much activity when I was in Tirana in the summer of 2022. Neither do I have any idea of what will be exhibited. There is, I’m sure, a possibility that the items that were part of the permanent exhibition, works of Socialist Realist Art, might well be confined to the depths and the gallery will become a centre of decadent capitalist ‘art’.

Left side of the road

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Tag Archives: socialist realism

Chinese Revolutionary Art – 1975

Chinese Revolutionary Art – 1975

Chinese Literature Magazine – 1951-1981

Chinese Literature Magazine 1951-1981

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Socialist Realist Paintings and Sculptures in the National Art Gallery, Tirana

Socialist Realist Paintings and Sculptures in the National Art Gallery, Tirana