Ai Weiwei, the renowned Chinese contemporary artist and activist born in Beijing in 1957, spoke at the Hay Festival in Segovia, revealing a deep fear about returning to China and the potential loss of personal freedom. He conveyed that confinement in a secret cell would mean an absence of happiness, an inability to move others, a lack of comfort, and a persistent fear about going back. The remarks emerged during a videoconferenced conversation with Anne McElvoy, the editor of The Economist, who guided the discussion through reflections on the design of the National Stadium in Beijing and the broader theme of 1000 Years of Joy and Sorrow. Weiwei underscored his status as a Chinese citizen with the right to return while expressing concern for his aging mother and the reality that the fear of losing freedom could temper any decision to travel back.
The dialogue touched on Weiwei’s experiences since his 2011 imprisonment, during which he spent 81 days in custody. He said his longing to visit his homeland was complicated by the weight of his family responsibilities and the political climate, which he described as one that can sway even a well-intentioned return. The artist framed the issue as a choice between familial duty and personal safety, highlighting the precarious nature of political life for those who challenge oppressive systems.
Weiwei emphasized the lure of returning to China contrasted with the reality of potential restrictions and the power of those in authority to shape life outcomes. He cautioned against underestimating the determination of authoritarian forces to curb individual autonomy, insisting that these powers will persist in their efforts to regulate public discourse and personal freedoms. The conversation also explored the broader implications for civil society, noting that the struggle for basic rights can become entangled with national narratives and the reputational costs imposed on dissenters.
During the discussion, another thread centered on Weiwei’s stance on freedom of expression within Western societies, including the limits that often accompany open discourse. He pointed to the existence of Topics that remain sensitive even in places traditionally associated with liberty. He argued that unveiling uncomfortable truths sometimes faces resistance in private circles, universities, and media alike, raising questions about the universality of freedom and the conditions under which it can be exercised without fear of retribution.
As the son of the poet Ai Qing, who faced accusations during the late 1950s and early revolutionary periods, Weiwei reflected on his own trajectory from an early embrace of certain revolutionary ideals to a more nuanced position. He asserted that individuals should be allowed to question established values and that a healthy mind requires listening to a broad spectrum of voices. This stance, he argued, is essential to forming a robust sense of self, rather than confining oneself to a single orthodoxy, especially given the cultural pressures present in China today.
Weiwei described the Chinese government as viewing itself as an ideological elite, suggesting that dissenters are pressured to conform or face consequences that extend beyond career prospects. He framed the struggle as a fundamental human impulse to question and to seek truth, a trait he sees as intrinsic to humanity rather than a menace to the state. The discussion noted Weiwei’s current residence in Cambridge, United Kingdom, where his son studies and the artist tends to a garden, illustrating a life split between activism, family, and quiet cultivation of personal spaces in exile.
In addressing refugees who arrive in the West, Weiwei spoke in strong terms about the universal challenges they face and the persistent bias that can frame public perception. He called for a steadfast defense of the rights to free expression and protection for those who seek safety, arguing that any society that restricts these freedoms risks eroding its own moral foundation. His comments reflected a belief in solidarity with displaced people and a commitment to ensuring that basic rights are not compromised by fear or political expediency.
Looking back at his early years in Beijing after his family’s expulsion and his own rising profile, Weiwei reflected on the political conditions that shaped his ability to influence younger generations. He acknowledged feeling cast as a dangerous figure by authorities who feared tarnishing their image of a regime in transition. Yet he framed this tension as a catalyst for change, insisting that demanding social justice is a lifelong pursuit that may come with losses or imprisonment but is never without meaning for the individual life.
The discussion concluded with a stark recollection of Weiwei’s detention experiences, where he recalled a period of confinement in a small space with armed guards nearby. He described the claustrophobic moment and the lack of formal charges, emphasizing how such episodes reinforce his resolve to advocate for rights, transparency, and accountability in governance. These memories, he suggested, are not merely personal traumas but testimonies to the resilience required to confront repression and advocate for a more open and humane society, wherever opportunities arise to raise these issues in the public sphere. At stake, he argued, is the capacity of every person to speak truth to power and to demand dignity even when the costs are high. [citation: Hay Festival interview and related remarks]