Mu Xinxin is Macau resident originally from Penglai, Shandong. A member of the Chinese Writers Association, she first majored in Journalism, but her passion for drama and theatre led her to later obtain a Doctoral degree in Theatre and Traditional Opera from Nanjing University. She works on fostering communication between the mainland and Macau and has been praised by the media as “the person who strings up the cultural pearls in Macau”. During the Macau handover and its 5th, 10th and 15th anniversaries, she was invited to the CCTV studios to be a guest host of program. She has written a number of works in Chinese, and in 2014 she finished her first Beijing opera entitled A Alma de Keng-Hoi. The opera has been staged in Nanjing, Tianjing, Macau and Beijing. She also participated in the organizing and editing of books such as Aomen xi ju shi gao.
– What’s your idea of a perfect day?
My perfect day begins waking up and not having anything urgent that I need to handle. Reading, taking a walk, having a cup of coffee, visiting a bookshop, seeing a movie or a theatre play, and to be really perfect, I would spend it with my family.
– If you could go back in time to any event in history, what would it be?
The Republic of China period. Although that was an era of lawlessness, I can see from the old photos, including those of my mother’s, that the people living in that period were really beautiful, well-mannered, composed and dignified. It was also a golden period for art, so I would like to go back and learn Chinese theatre and painting from several masters.
– What’s your favorite book?
Dream of the Red Chamber is a book that I could read for the rest of my life. I read it when I was young, and saw youth and greatness; but it is pity and sympathy that I see in it now.
– And your favorite singer/ band?
Jonathan Lee, Lo Ya-yu, Chyi Chin, Liu Huan (Why are they all male singers?)
– Who is your hero?
The hero in my heart is Sam Chi Leong, an historical figure in Macau. According to the history books, he was untrammeled, generous and admired righteousness. His assassination of the Portuguese governor was absolutely significant. He is responsible for changing Macau’s history and was willing to forgo his life and choose a deadly path. I finally fulfilled my dream and wrote a story about Sam Chi Leong “A Alma de Keng-Hoi”– Macau’s first Beijing opera.
– What can always cheer you up when you are having a bad day?
Reading. Through reading, I know that life still has poetry and places that are afar. Then I am not entangled with issues happening near me.
– What’s your worst habit?
Speak before thinking it through. My mouth moves quicker than my brain.
– If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Boiled fish in hot sauce. I fell in love with my husband because he was willing to eat this with me everyday.
– If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?
Stay in places I like such as Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Taipei, Kyoto and of course Macau, one after another. My good friends are in these places. I want to drink tea and chat with them and write about the scenes and stories of those places.
– What’s your favourite season or festival?
I like Chinese New Year the most. Family gatherings around a hot pot, the fullness, hustle and bustle really give people hope.
– What’s your favourite place in Macau?
Rua da Madeira. I lived there with my family since I came to Macau at 10 years of age, until I finished university. This street really reflects the real world.