Author: Chen Yichun, Lai Xiuyu 

Publisher: Southcn+

Date: March 24, 2025

Literature has become a profound part of my life and spirit. This sentiment is beautifully captured on the cover of Flower Growing from Dirt, an essay collection featuring the classical quotes of Professor Rao Pengzi, a renowned literary theorist and a cherished figure at Jinan University.

(Flower Growing from Dirt)

Professor Rao Pengzi passed away in Guangzhou on November 27, 2024, at the age of 89. In her memory, the China World Chinese Literature Society and the University of Chinese Literature hosted the Professor Rao Pengzi Memorial Conference and Prose Collection Press Conference on March 23, 2025. The event gathered numerous teachers, students, and alumni from the academic community to honor her legacy, coinciding with the release of her essay collection.

Born in Chaozhou, Guangdong, Rao was admitted to the Chinese Department of Sun Yat-sen University in 1953 and transferred to Jinan University in 1958, where she dedicated herself to the study of literary theory. Over the years, she served as the head of the Chinese Department and as vice president of Jinan University, earning a reputation as a distinguished poetic critic.

(Sun is delivering a speech at the memorial)

At the memorial, Sun Yu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Jinan University, reflected on Rao Pengzi's vigorous academic contributions throughout her life. He highlighted her pivotal role in the revival of comparative literature in the early 1980s, where she introduced global perspectives and methodologies into literary studies in China. In 1993, she established the doctoral program in literature and art at Jinan University and made groundbreaking contributions to fields such as comparative and overseas Chinese literature.

Rao Pengzi believed that prestigious schools should have famous teachers, and prestigious schools should have their own characteristics. After 67 years of teaching, she viewed her students as an extension of her academic and spiritual legacy. Sun praised Rao for her exceptional academic vision and unwavering sense of responsibility to her students, which greatly enhanced the academic standing and influence of Jinan University.

Li Yunfei, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, expressed deep admiration for Rao's significant contributions to her discipline. He noted her keen insight, pioneering spirit, and steadfast dedication to academic excellence as qualities that younger scholars can learn from.

Fu Ying, a professor at the College of Liberal Arts and a former student of Rao Pengzi, became emotional while reminiscing about her mentor. Professor Rao was not only an academic role model but also a good teacher and friend, she said. Her optimistic and open-minded approach to life, alongside her relentless pursuit of academic success, will forever inspire her disciples.

(Prof. Bai Yang from the College of Liberal Arts leads the memorial event)

The newly released essay collection, Flower Growing from Dirt, encompasses Rao Pengzi's reflections on literature, life, and society throughout the years. Her lifelong dedication to literature is poetically captured in her own words: “For decades, even during the busiest times of work, I have never stopped reading literary works... Literature is a spiritual activity that connects deeply to the human spirit. This connection transcends age; indeed, after rich life experiences, one often feels a sense of 'knowing the fragrance even deeper.'”

This collection not only memorializes a remarkable academic but also serves as a testament to her enduring impact on literature and education.