A New Chapter: New Literary Festival Celebrates European and Chinese Writing, Nov 21-24

The Bookworm is bouncing back. A little over a year ago, the events space, bookshop, and cafe postponed its annual literary festival because of financial issues. But this past August, its general manager Peter Goff (pictured above) announced that event will return in 2018. And now there's even more good news to make up for the earlier postponement: a new festival, featuring 28 award-winning literary luminaries from Europe and China, is slated to take place before month's end.

Dubbed the EU-China Literary Festival, the talks for this inaugural event will take place at the Bookworm and the One Way Street Library from Nov 21-24 (the fest will then be held in Chengdu from Nov 25-27). What's more: Entry to all the talks will be free of charge, and will be held in both English and Chinese. A statement from the organizers lists some of the big names set to appear at the fest: "Isabelle Wery, author of Marilyn Desossee and winner of the European Union Prize for Literature; A Yi, short story author and winner of People’s Literature Short Stories’ prestigious award for one of the 'Top Twenty Literary Giants of the Future'; and Paolo Colagrande, author of Fideg, one of the top ten Italian novels at the Festival du Roman of Cuneo-Chambery."

Coordinated by the Delegation of the European Union to China, and overseen by Goff as the programme director, the festival kicks off a series of literary events called #ExperienceEurope, set to take place over the next two years with the intent of introducing wide swaths of European culture to a Chinese audience.

Considering the disappointment that ensued after the postponement of last year's Bookworm International Literary Festival, Goff is more than eager to be back with a new series of talks this month. He tells the Beijinger that the EU-China Literary Festival "is an exciting project that will lift literary events in China up to a truly international level. There are stellar writers coming from Europe – where each country has nominated one author to be its representative on this inaugural, international stage – and the established and emerging talent from China that will be showcased is also superb."

Goff adds that attendees should expect panel sessions where both "Chinese and European authors share the stage and ideas, and engage in literary and intellectual discussions. It’s shaping up to be a thought-provoking and absorbing fest, and it all bodes well for fans of literature and debate in China.”

Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, Ambassador of the European Union to China, says he looks forward to seeing the participating novelists, poets, and short-story writers "exchange ideas, engage with readers and audiences, and celebrate the diversity of European and Chinese culture."

For more information, check the fest's website here (the schedule is up now, and the site will be updated with registration QR codes and other specifics shortly). 

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
Instagram: mullin.kyle

Photos: The Global Times, 4d.rtvslo.si, Blangua