Press Release

HKBU International Writers’ Workshop features renowned Canadian novelist Yann Martel

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

The International Writers’ Workshop (IWW) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) will present its 2024 Distinguished Writers Series, featuring Yann Martel, the renowned Canadian novelist and author of the best-selling novel Life of Pi. Mr Martel will delve into his works at a Literary Reading and Conversation on 21 October to inspire literary creativity among HKBU’s teachers and students as well as the general public. He will also share his insights on writing at a masterclass on 22 October.

Born in Spain in 1963, Mr Martel is best known for his internationally acclaimed novel Life of Pi. This literary gem has been translated into over fifty languages and was honoured with the prestigious Booker Prize, a highly esteemed accolade in British literature. The novel was subsequently adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by Ang Lee.

He is also the author of the short story collection The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios; the novels Self, Beatrice and Virgil, and The High Mountains of Portugal; as well as 101 Letters to a Prime Minister, a collection of letters comprising book recommendations to Stephen Harper, the former Prime Minister of Canada.

Each year in the fall semester, the IWW’s Distinguished Writers Series honours one esteemed international writer who will give a literary reading and discuss his or her literary works with local writers and readers. IWW also runs a competitive residency programme in the spring semester each year, with an open call for applications from potential writers-in-residence who will be featured at the IWW Literary Festival in March. Further details about the event can be found on the IWW Facebook page.

About IWW

Founded in 2004, the IWW remains one of the signature programmes of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at HKBU. For 20 years, the IWW has hosted over 140 writers from more than 55 different countries, and it is one of the few writers-in-residence programmes in Asia. As a self-funded and non-profit initiative, the IWW has consistently organised free public events to promote literary and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the world. It has demonstrated HKBU’s commitment to the development of literature and art, serving as an important platform for promoting the advancement of literature in Hong Kong. Please visit the website or Facebook page for further information about IWW activities and writers.