Press Release

HKBU Chinese Writers’ Workshop names renowned writers Hsu Li-wei, Ye Zhaoyan, Lin Qiuming and Human Ip as Writers-in-Residence

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Founded by the Faculty of Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the Chinese Writers’ Workshop (CWW) will host the 4th “Chinese Writers-in-Residence Programme” (CWR) and the “Hong Kong Writers-in-Residence Programme” (HKWR) from 25 March to 25 April. The four Writers-in-Residence, Ms Hsu Li-wei from Taiwan; Mr Ye Zhaoyan and Ms Lin Qiuming from the Mainland; and Ms Human Ip from Hong Kong, will exchange with readers at events including “Writers’ Reading and Conversation”, individual talks and writing workshops.

HKBU’s Faculty of Arts has long been committed to promoting creativity and initiating different creative projects. CWW aims to promote contemporary Chinese literature and culture to showcase their diverse and rich landscapes. Following the “Distinguished Chinese Writers Series” last September, CWW will launch CWR and HKWR this spring. Both emerging and veteran Chinese writers from different places have been invited to spark creative exchanges with Hong Kong Writers-in-Residence for one month.

This year’s CWR has invited Ms Hsu Li-wei, Mr Ye Zhaoyan and Ms Lin Qiuming as Chinese Writers-in-Residence. Ms Hsu has written under the pen name “Godwind” focusing on women’s issues; Mr Ye has won numerous awards, including the “Top Ten Cultural Figures” recognition from the Nanjing Municipal People’s Government; and Ms Lin received a First Prize in the third season of the “Frontline Fellowship for Chinese Non-Fiction Writing” last year.

The HKWR accepts applications from 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 Human Ip has been selected as the 2024 Hong Kong Writer-in-Residence. An enthusiast for promoting ecological writing in Hong Kong, Ms Ip has published six novels and essay collections, and curated three solo art exhibitions on ecology.

The four writers specialise in different genres and explore diverse themes in their creative writing. Please refer to their biographies in the attachment. CWW will be hosting a cross-programme opening event “Writers’ Reading and Conversation” on 25 March, where the four writers will introduce, read, and discuss their works. CWW also plans to publish the “Chinese Creative Writing Handbook” to house reference materials, aiming to assist in the teaching of Chinese creative writing.

CWW is sponsored by the Tin Ka Ping Foundation. Professor Stuart Christie, Executive Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts at HKBU, said: “Now in its fourth year, the CWW has enjoyed the tremendous support of the Tin Ka Ping Foundation as a key partner of the HKBU Faculty of Arts over the years. Founded in 2020, CWW has made a concerted effort to offer a unique and inspiring platform for Chinese writing talent locally, nationally and regionally, where they can interact instantly with other artists, literature-enthusiasts and students. Similar events are rare in the field of Chinese literature and I am very proud that the Faculty of Arts can host the CWW.”

The activities of CWR and HKWR are free of charge and will be held on HKBU campus. Further details can be found on the Facebook page of CWW. For any enquiries, please call 3411 5860 or email artsoc@hkbu.edu.hk. Members of the public who are interested in joining are welcome to sign up online (https://bit.ly/3OQSdUj).