Mo Yan's hometown, Gaomi, plans to cash in on writer's Nobel Prize
Gaomi plans to spend 670m yuan on themed attractions celebrating writer's Nobel Prize, even though he may not be totally in favour
Count authorities in Mo Yan's hometown Gaomi among those looking to cash in on the writer's sudden fame since winning the Nobel Prize for literature last week.
Officials in the backwater Shandong city have announced plans to spend about 670 million yuan (HK$ 825 million) on Mo Yan-themed projects designed to lure tourists.
At the top of the list is a 666-hectare plantation of red sorghum, the coarse grain that Mo selected as the title of his break-out 1987 novel, The Beijing News reported yesterday.
The book was adapted into the film Red Sorghum by renowned mainland director, Zhang Yimou .
Red sorghum was once one of the main staples of residents of Gaomi, which provides the setting for the tale. But farmers stopped growing the crop in the 1980s as mainlanders grew more wealthy and sought out different food sources.
Other projects include creating a "Mo Yan Cultural Experience Zone" around his former home. There is a similar "Red Sorghum Cultural Leisure Zone", as well as an exhibition hall for Red Sorghum-themed film and television productions.
Mo seemed to be a little concerned about the flurry of reports about his hometown's efforts to profit from his Nobel fame.