Recently, the terms “Journey to the West” and “Monkey King” have gained tremendous global influence, capturing the attention of audiences through various artistic forms. Liu Xiaoling Tong, who portrayed the Monkey King in the 1986 TV series “Journey to the West,” emphasized that the essence of this cultural phenomenon ultimately lies within the original novel.
As he pointed out, a cultural wave has swept across China, sparking renewed interest in reading, rereading, and interpreting “Journey to the West.” This movement reflects a journey back to the roots of Chinese traditional culture. Recently, Liu Xiaoling Tong held a lecture titled “Monkey King: Celebrating Literary Heritage” at the Longgang City Library in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The event featured not only a live reading of “Journey to the West,” but also personal stories from his journey of cultural transmission.
“When I say, ‘Here comes Old Sun!’ accompanied by the music from ‘Cloud Palace’s Swift Sound,’ it not only brings back memories of my portrayal of the Monkey King, but it also transports everyone present into the ‘Journey to the West’ universe,” Liu shared. This connection not only conjured images of the iconic character but also evoked thoughts of the epic’s themes, such as the “Journey to the West” and the “Eighty-One Challenges.” The cultural resonance of “Journey to the West” captivates audiences, inviting them to explore its rich layers of meaning.
According to Liu, “Every reader has their own interpretation of the Monkey King.” During the lecture, he elaborated on his personal vision of the character and introduced his new work, “Golden Monkey Master: My Father, the Monkey King Liu Xiaoling Tong,” encouraging attendees to trace the origins of his understanding of “Wukong.”
Moreover, the event highlighted the phenomenon of cultural transmission through literature, which has regained public attention. This resurgence exemplifies how books serve as invaluable tools for human progress, especially in today’s age of “shallow reading.”
In an engaging outreach, Liu visited Hongcheng Primary School in Longgang, using anecdotes from “Journey to the West” to inspire students and faculty alike. He unveiled the “Beautiful Monkey King Reading House” and donated the first batch of books to encourage good reading habits among children.
Longgang, known as the “First Farmers’ City” and the “First Town to Become a City,” has recently opened its first municipal library, marking a significant cultural milestone as it transitions from village, to town, to city.
At the library event, Liu expressed that “Journey to the West” embodies the crystallization of centuries of Chinese folk wisdom. While celebrating and passing on traditional Chinese stories, the novel itself stands as a monumental work of cultural heritage.
When discussing “Journey to the West,” it is clear that the Monkey King emerges as the most beloved character. Liu stated, “Not only is the Monkey King the hero of ‘Journey to the West,’ but he also stands as a symbol of wisdom, bravery, and justice in Chinese traditional culture.”
Today, the portrayal of the Monkey King is closely tied to the art of traditional Chinese theater. Liu explained, “In the lineage of Chinese folk drama, the Zhang-style monkey show has been passed down through four generations to me, tracing its roots back to Wenzhou’s Nanxi.” He noted that Nanxi, as a widely performed folk art form, has significantly influenced the Zhang-style monkey show, which has absorbed and integrated various artistic elements over time.
Looking ahead, Liu believes that the spiritual essence of “Journey to the West” and the Monkey King will continue to be explored, innovated, and passed down through future artistic creations. “It is our mission in this era to inspire a global appreciation and resonance with traditional Chinese cultural arts,” he concluded.
