Happy birthday! Mo Yan turns 71 today

Nobel Prize in Literature 2012 Mo Yan is celebrating his 71st birthday today. As a number of online tributes attest, he is one of the most acclaimed authors of his generation.

Popular author Mo Yan has always liked to keep a bit of himself hidden from view. At 71st birthday, he remains a man of many facets.

Yan, a cultural icon

Born Guan Moye in Gaomi on February 17, 1955, his career spans an arc over many different eras and tastes in Chinese history. Yan's not just a great author, he's an inspiration, an icon and a successful business man. At this point in his career, there seems to be little Mo hasn't done.

And we've got a feeling the next 12 months are going to be even bigger and better for Mo Yan as he promises more to come. After all, he's only 71.

Happy Birthday, Mo, you're the best!

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