Press Release
HKBU Chinese Writers' Workshop names renowned writers Wong Yi, He Xiaozhu and Maniniwei as inaugural writers-in-residence
Friday, 05 Mar 2021
Founded by the Faculty of Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the Chinese Writers' Workshop (CWW) will host its inaugural "Chinese Writers-in-Residence Programme" (CWR) and "Hong Kong Writers-in-Residence Programme" (HKWR) from 8 March to 8 April. Ms Eva Wong Yi from Hong Kong, Mr He Xiaozhu from mainland China, and Ms Maniniwei from Malaysia will share their works and experience with Hong Kong readers at various events as guest writers, including the "Writers Reading and Conversation", talks and writing workshops.
The Faculty of Arts at HKBU has long been committed to promoting creativity and developing different creative projects. The CWW is dedicated to promoting contemporary Chinese literature and culture, and it aims to present its diverse and rich literary landscape. After the "Distinguished Chinese Writers Series" last September, CWW is launching CWR and HKWR this spring, and it has invited emerging overseas Chinese writers to meet and exchange with their Hong Kong counterparts at HKBU for one month.
HKWR is the first writers-in-residence programme from the Faculty of Arts at HKBU to open up applications to local writers. Selected writers' works will be translated into English and published in CWW's bilingual anthology Lion Rock: The Anthology of Contemporary Hong Kong Literature. Ms Eva Wong Yi, a Hong Kong fiction writer and the first Hong Kong writer-in-residence, has been hailed by renowned writers Mr Dung Kai-cheung and Mr Hui Tik-cheung as "thoughtful, knowledgeable, wise, and critica" and "very sensitive to reality, observant, and creative enough to escape reality", respectively.
CWR invites two overseas writers to Hong Kong every year. Mr He Xiaozhu, a prominent poet from the "Third Generation" and "Not-Not-ism" groups who is also of Miao descent, and Ms Maniniwei, a Malaysian Chinese writer and illustrator regarded as a "De-facto Cult Poet", are the inaugural Chinese writers-in-residence.
The three writers specialise in different genres and themes. CWW will host a cross-programme opening event called "Writers Reading and Conversation" on 10 March. The three guest writers will be invited to read and discuss their works. CWW also plans to publish a Chinese Creative Writing Handbook which will serve as a reference for teaching Chinese creative writing.
Launched in 2020, CWW is sponsored by the Tin Ka Ping Foundation. "We are immensely grateful to the Tin Ka Ping Foundation for its generous support. We must also acknowledge the gracious and supportive way in which the Tin Ka Ping Foundation collaborated with us to define the vision for our new CWW. As Dean of Arts, I expect the CWW to play a very significant role in developing the talent of creative writers in Hong Kong, the region, and globally. I also believe the CWW will encourage young people in Hong Kong to value creative writing, possibly even as an especially meaningful life path," said Professor Mette Hjort, Dean of Arts at HKBU.
As the pandemic wears on, the two programmes will be held online. Further details can be found on the Facebook page of CWW. Those who have enquiries can call 3411 2446 or 3411 7173.
All events are free of charge. The public are welcome to sign up at the following webpages:
Please refer to the biographies of the three writers-in-residence in the attachment.
