Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art

The Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art, held in 1942, was a influential gathering where Chinese Communist leaders emphasized that art and literature should serve the revolutionary cause and the masses. They argued that creative works should promote political ideals, support the struggle against Japan, and reflect the lives of ordinary people. This event shaped Chinese cultural policies for decades, encouraging artists to produce works aligned with socialist principles, emphasizing accessibility, patriotism, and social realism. It marked a key moment in integrating arts with political ideology during China's revolutionary period.