March 8-22: The Bookworm Literary Festival 2013
Posted: January 24th, 2013 | | , | A.D. Miller, Alain Mabanckou, Andrej Blatnik, Chad Harbach, Chi Zijian, Ellen Forney, Eshkol Nevo, Esi Edugyan, Fei Dao, Guo Xiaolu, Hanging Devils, He Jiahong, International Literary Festival, Jacek Dehnel, Joe Gil, JUE Music + Art Festival, Justin Torres, Kadi Hughes, Karin Tidbeck, Keith Gray, Lao She's Ding, Lindsey Hilsum, Liu Zhenyun, Live Storytelling, Luke Wright, Memoirs of a Porcupine, Nikil Saval, Paul Murray, Putong Hua, Remembering 1942, Sandstorm, Seth Fishman, Sifiso Mzobe, Skippy Dies, Snowdrops, Sophie Cooke, Stand Up Comedy, The Art of Fielding, The Bookworm, The Last Quarter of the Moon, We're All in This Together | No Comments »
The Bookworm's Literary Festival 2013: Early Bird Tickets Go on Sale Jan. 25
A celebration of literature and ideas, The Bookworm's Annual Literary Festival (BLF) is a two-week festival featuring both Chinese and international writers, thinkers, and artists who all come together for a dynamic program of booktalks, panel discussions, writing workshops and performances.
Not only is this a rare opportunity to get introduced to a carefully selected collection of great books that you should start adding to your home library, this is also a chance to meet your favorite authors, sign up for some useful writing workshops, and also a chance to get your kids excited about writing and reading with The Bookworm's Children's Program. The Footnotes Programme also has a great line-up of film screenings, performances, music and special live literature events.
A program as diverse as ever, this festival's eclectic range of events will certainly please people of all ages, backgrounds and interests.
"We believe in the power of literature. A good book makes us think, challenges us, and changes the way we see ourselves and the world. We've created BLF to be a forum for literature, thought and debate. Literature is an ongoing, live, global discussion – come and join us!" – The Bookworm
And I'm happy to see that this year's festival will also be featuring The New York Times BLF 2013 Literary Caravan, meaning the festival will be spreading its wings and on its way to taking over China with events across Beijing, Chendu, Suzhou, Chongqing, Ningbo, Shanghai and Tianjin.
From a handful of snapshots taken of both authors and their genius works of art (above), you can see that this year's festival has an even more action-packed program of international literary sensations, brilliant debut novelists and China's leading intellectuals.
But the quality of the program isn't going to be a problem, the difficulty lies in how on Earth you select which events to attend. This year's festival program has about 80 different events lined up making it easy to be overwhelmed with choice and difficult to digest all the festival has to offer.
Lucky for you LUMDIMSUM friends, Festival Director Kadi Hughes has, once again, generously agreed to take a few minutes out of her manic schedule to share her top 10 "must-see" events in her 2013 Literary Festival at The Bookworm.
With Early Bird tickets going on sale starting Friday, January 25, I recommend that you quickly read through these recommended events, a few LUMDIMSUM picks and The Bookworm's Literary Festival Website and get over to the Bookworm to reserve your tickets. Last year, many of the best events were sold out even before the general ticket admission started, which takes place this year next Friday, February 1st.
Festival Director Kadi Hughes' Top 10 Picks:
(listed in chronological order)
1. Saturday, March 9 6pm
A Word is Worth a Thousand Words, Liu Zhenyun in conversation
(RMB 100)
Event description: Liu Zhenyun's works are clear snapshots of modern, urban life – equal parts kind and cruel. His fiction uses his trademark dry wit to depict the daily grind faced by his memorable characters – from the bureaucratic drones of his short story A Word is Worth Ten Thousand Words to the migrant workers in My Name is Liu Yuejin. His most recent novel Remembering 1942, a vivid portrayal of a major famine in Henan in that year, was adapted into a blockbuster film directed by Feng Xiaogang. Paper Republic's Eric Abrahamsen discusses with one of China's most charismatic and popular writers.
In Kadi's Words: Liu Zhenyun is one of China's most celebrated literary writers and he writes frank and funny portrayal of contemporary life in China as well as historical fictions. He is a very engaging speaker and now that he has a blockbuster film under his belt (1942) I am sure that he will have some insightful comments about the process of adapting his work for cinema in China.
Liu Zhenyun: Remembering 1942
2. Tuesday, March 12 8pm
Skippy Dies - Paul Murray
(RMB 65)
Event description: Teenage drug dealers. Ruthless headmasters. Imaginary portals into parallel universes. Seabrook College is just a regular school until fourteen-year-old Skippy dies in a local donut shop. In the wake of the tragedy, the school's students, teachers, parents and community come together and fall apart in unexpected ways. Paul Murray's award-wining Skippy Dies is a heartfelt, hilarious depiction of the pain, joy and occasional beauty of adolescence. Jonathan White (The Beijinger) chats with one of Ireland's most promising and dynamic young writers.
In Kadi's Words: Paul Murray's Skippy Dies is one of my favorite books of the past few years. It's funny and dark, full of relatable and lovable characters all connected to a boys high school in Ireland. It's a whooper of a book (about 700 pages) but you can totally loose yourself in its universe. It was one of those books that I was sad to finish. An incredibly talented writer, Paul represented a new wave of young writers in the English-language that combine pop culture and high art.
Paul Murray: Skippy Dies
3. Friday, March 15 8pm
Luke Wright – Cyncial Ballads
(RMB 65)
Event description: Stand-up poet Luke Wright presents eight caustic tales from Broken Britain. Let him lead you through Blighty's run-down shopping precincts, provincial high streets and airless television studios to introduce a cast of tone- deaf pop star wannabes, terrorized single mums and baby-boomers with "afflu-AIDS." Between each poem Wright offers a pithy crash course in the history of balladry, from broadsides to Christina Aguilera.
In Kadi's Words: Performance and performance poetry have become a mainstay of BLF and this year is no different! We have two excellent performance poets with very different styles. Luke Wright combines storytelling, comedy and poetry to create a set that is incredibly funny and also poignant. He is a great and energetic performer and I am always impressed with the linguistic and performative skill our performance poets bring to the stage.
Luke Wright: We're All In This Together
4. Saturday, March 16 4pm
Sandstorm - Lindsey Hilsum
(RMB 100)
Event Description: Renowned British international correspondent Lindsey Hilsum's Sandstorm is a stirring account of the Libyan revolution. It places the events that Hilsum witness in February 2011, when she went to Libya to chronicle the personal stories of people living through a time of unprecedented danger and opportunity within the context of a complex history of colonialism, monarchy and dictatorship. Hilsum discusses with Felicity Bryan her experience reporting on the madman autocrat and the revolution and explores what the future of Libya holds.
In Kadi's Words: Lindsey Hilsum's Sandstorm was one of the most gripping books I read this year. Her reporting on Qaddaffi and the events in Libya over the past few years is spellbinding. Gaddafi was such bizarre dictator – the female body guards, the crazy entourage, the love letters to Condeelza Rice – that sometimes his personality obscures all that happened – and is happening still in Libya. This book puts so much into context and I can't wait to hear more form Lindsey on her experience in Libya and the Middle East.
Lindsey Hilsum: Sandstorm
5. Sunday, March 17 2pm
The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach
(RMB 80)
Event description: Chad Harbach's novel The Art of Fielding fol- lows the interwoven lives of five characters at Westish College. Baseball star Henry Skrimshander has preternatural gift for baseball. His skill is unmatched. Until one day, a throw goes off course and everything changes. Meanwhile college president Guert Affenlight has fallen unexpectedly and helplessly in love with student Owen Dunne. Mike Schwartz realizes he has guided Henry's career at the expense of his own. And Pella Affenlight returns to Westish after escaping an ill-fated marriage, determined to start a new life. As the baseball season comes to an end, each character must face their deepest secrets, hopes and fears. Join us to hear Harbach talk with Ed Gargan on the limits of ambition, the pain of commitment and what Moby Dick has to do with baseball.
In Kadi's Words: Another one of my favorite books of the past few years, The Art of Fielding is just AMAZING. Wonderful characters and great storytelling. Plus Chad Harbach is one of the founding editors of N+1, a literary and current events magazines that has been publishing some of the most interesting articles on arts and politics.
Chad Harbach: Art of Fielding
6. Monday, March 18 6pm
Big Questions: Who Do You Think You Are? Justin Torres, Esi Edugyan, Eshkol Nevo and Nikil Saval
(RMB 65)
Event description: Does identity matter? How freely can one portray another? Is identity part of the creative process or a marketing ploy? Is identity something you are given or something that you make? Esi Edugyan, Eshol Nevo, Justin Torres and Zhang Lijia discuss with Nikil Saval.
In Kadi's Words: For BLF 2013 we have a few panels in our Big Questions series. All of these events will consists of writers for various backgrounds speaking on a large, philosophical topic. With so many different personalities and hot topic issues, the debates will definitely be lively.
Justin Torres: We the Animals / Esi Edugyan: Half Blood Blues / Eshkol Nevo: Homesick / Nikil Saval
7. Monday, March 18 8pm
The Last Quarter of the Moon Chi Zijian
(RMB 65)
Event description: Novelist Chi Zijian's works depict the details of everyday life in Northern China with empathy and care. In her novel The Last Quarter of the Moon, an old woman recounts the amazing events of her epic life with a simple and honest frankness. The woman is part of the Evenki tribe, reindeer herders who roam the remote forests of Northeastern China. Chi takes us through the woman's life, from an idyllic childhood cut short by her father's death during the Japanese invasion in the 1930s to an old age accompanied by the rapid transformation of China. Chi bears witness to the stories of the woman's fellow tribes people, full of wonder and pain, as their secluded world is shattered and they are drawn out of isolation into the larger society. Join us to hear more on this hidden corner of the country from this prize-winning novelist.
In Kadi's Words: Chi Zijian's novel follows a tribe of reindeer herders in the far north east corner of China throughout the course of the 20th century. This is a culture and area I know almost nothing about and can't wait to find out more! For years, literary people in the know have been recommending Chi Zijian and now that she is finally in English I am thrilled a wider audiences will get a chance to read her work.
Chi Zijian: Last Quarter Moon
8. Tuesday, March 19 1pm
Alain Mabanckou in conversation
(RMB 65)
Event Description: In Alain Mabanckou's Memoirs of a Porcupine, Kibundi uses an animal double, a porcupine, to carry out all of his evil deeds. Until one day, the porcupine rebels and turns from violence to…memoir writing. Black Bazaar is a humorous account of an African dandy, Buttocks Man, trying to make it in modern day Paris. Despite being down on his luck – his girlfriend left him, his drinking buddies harass him, a nightmare of cannibal pygmies plagues him – Buttocks Man has style in spades. But is his sartorial chic enough for him to make it in the City of Lights? Petty criminal Gregoire Nakabomayo wants to kill his girlfriend and enlists the advice of a deceased serial killer in African Psycho. In Broken Glass, the titular character records an oral history of the colorful characters that wander through the doors of a squalid Congolese bar, the Credit Gone West. Alain Mabanckou is one of the most exciting and acclaimed novelists writing in French today. Come hear him on the power of telling stories, animal friends and creating Congo- Brazzaville's first literary festival.
In Kadi's Words: Alain Mabanckou's books are all wildly different and equally fascinating. Spirit animal doubles that commit crimes, criminal bar flies in a Congolese bar, African dandies in Paris…all of his characters are compelling and imaginative. He is one of the most respected authors writing in French today and offers a very unique voice on literature from Congo and from Africa and he is also a very inspiring and dynamic speaking, guaranteeing an energetic event.
Alain Mabanckou: Memoirs of Porcupine
9. Wednesday, March 20 8pm
Very Short Stories – Karin Tidbeck, Andrej Blatnik and Jacek Dehnel
(RMB 65)
Event description: In the past, literary critics have often overlooked short stories for the lofty, and sometimes epic, novel. But with readers feeling they have having less time to read long-form fiction, the short story may be having its moment. Three of our writers produce some of the finest and most innovative short form writing today. Andrej Blatnik's slyly witty stories cut directly to the core truth of relationships, intimacy and sex and only need a paragraph to do so. Jacek Dehnel's short stories and novellas explore truth and memory. Karin Tidbeck's latest collection, Jaggernath, is comprised of magical and un- nerving re-imagined Scandinavian folk tales. Join us as these three writers read from their work and discuss the appeal, challenges and benefits of writing short stories.
In Kadi's Words: I love short fiction and am always very impressed by the skill of people who are able to convey complex emotion and fascinating stories in a small space. Our three panelists for this event all write very different types of short form; Andrej Blatnik writes paragraph-long microfiction that looks at relationships through a very funny and honest lens. Karin Tidbeck's collection fo short stirs Jagganath is parts folklore, magical realism and just plan weird – in the most wonderful way! Jacek Dehnel's short fiction draws on themes of memory and loss and as a poet he brings a lyrical beauty to his fiction writing. All three writers are very witty and sharp so this will be a lively and fun panel.
Karin Tidbeck: Jagannath / Jacek Dehnel
10. Thursday, March 21 8pm
Guo Xiaolu in conversation
(RMB 65)
Event description: Novelist and filmmaker Guo Xiaolu is known for her sparkling wit and innovative writing style. In her novel, A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers, love and language collide. Zhuang moves to London and meets an Englishman who leads her on a path of self- discovery. As the novel progresses, Z's gram- mar and vocabulary steadily improve. Yet she realizes that one can learn a language and still not comprehend those who speak it. In Lovers in the Age of Indifference, Guo offers up stories for cynical romantics: a marriage splinters during a game of mahjong; a depressed fiancée is lifted by a mid-air encounter with a Hollywood legend; a mountain keeper watches over a lonely temple but is perturbed when, finally, a visitor dares to arrive. Join us to hear more from Guo on her unique take on relationships, writing in English and what's next.
In Kadi's Words: Guo Xiaolu's book Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth is the fiction book I most often recommend to people who want to understand what it is like in modern Beijing. It's also the book that convinced me to move to China. I find her writing really fresh and truthful, but also very empathetic. Her book A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers is so inventive in its style – the writing changes style as the main character's English improves. Sometimes these gimmicks hamper the book in this case it adds to the story.
Guo Xiaolu: Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers
A MASSIVE thanks to Kadi for sharing her top 10 picks!!
And while I certainly concur with Kadi's top picks, I couldn't help but also notice a few additional events that caught my eye and I believe are also worth noting.
LDS Picks for The Bookworm's Literary Festival 2013:
(in chronological order)
1. Friday, March 8th at 10PM
Joe Gil
(RMB 50)
American indie-folk-pop musician Joe Gil brings a special acoustic show to BLF. Don't miss this opportunity to hear Gill's "gorgeous vocals, clever-story telling and impressive song crafting". This event is also part of the JUE Music + Art Festival.
Joe Gil, American indie-folk-pop musician
2. Saturday, March 9th at 10PM
Lao She's Ding
(RMB 50)
During his time in London, Lao She wrote the short story "Ding" about a young man's struggle with his own Chinese identity, his struggle between modernity and tradition and experience as a "foreigner." Join us for a special production of a stage adaptation of this marvelous tale, produced by Elephant in the Room and written for the stage by Paul French.
Lao She in London
3. Sunday, March 10th at 6PM
Hanging Devils
(RMB 65)
A chilling noir piece set in Dongbei, Hanging Devils is a page-turning thriller. After many years in the West, Hong Jun returns to China, bringing with him the ideals of his American legal training. He takes on a seemingly impossible cold case: the rape and murder of a local beauty. A possible miscarriage of justice that condemned the wrong man to jail sends Hong Jun digging into the past. In his hunt for the truth, Hong quickly comes face-to-face with the sleazy underbelly of China's legal system, stumbling upon corruption, betrayal and treachery. Hear legal expert and thriller writer He Jiahong talk about miscarriages of justice and writing what you know.
Hanging Devils by He Jiahong
4. Monday, March 11th at 8PM
Snowdrops
(RMB 65)
A "snowdrop" in Moscow slang is a corpse hidden in the city's epic annual snowdrifts, stowed away and secret…until spring. In A.D. Miller's riveting Snowdrops, lawyer Nick Platt is swept up in the city's hedonistic world of debauched nightclubs and exotic women. But when Nick takes up with two sisters, Masha and Katya, his life soon spirals out of control and he finds himself drowning in deception, betrayal and dark secrets. Miller, a journalist with The Economist, discusses with Gady Epstein (The Economist) what happens in a life in moral freefall.
Snowdrops by Ad Miller
5. Thursday, March 14th at 8PM
Grim Reapers: Keith Gray, Paul Murray and Sifiso Mzobe take on Death
(RMB 65)
While we may not know what happens when we die, three novelists explore what is left behind in death's wake. In Paul Murray's Skippy Dies, a school and community are forever changed by the death of a student. In Keith Gray's Ostrich Boys, three teenage friends try to do their best friend's memory justice by giving him the burial he deserves –but to do so they must steal his ashes and embark on a secret journey. The teenage protagonist in Sifiso Mzobe's Young Blood is caught up in a tough world of crime and violence. In these novels, death may be traumatic but it also holds the key to self-discovery and propels our young protagonists from boys to men. Join us as we discuss the literary role of death and our on-going fascination with the morbid.
5. Friday, March 15th at 10PM
Putong Hua: The One (Live Storytelling)
(RMB 50)
Everyone has a story to tell! Join us for a special event with some of our BLF authors and Beijing's finest storytellers to share their tales of "The One." An epic love, the perfect job, a legendarily delicious sandwich. Hear our tales of ideals, won and lost.
6. Saturday, March 16th at 12PM
Big Questions: Is there a Happiness Equation?
(RMB 65)
Is happiness a right or a reward? Modern society is bent on acquiring more money and possessions, but why don't these things make us happy? Was Seneca on the right track by saying happiness is optional and a choice? Or is it merely a matter of dopamine? With modern science, we can tweak our brain chemistry to induce a permanent state of happiness – but should we? Novelist Sophie Cooke and graphic novelist Ellen Forney discuss with Seth Fishman.
7. Saturday, March 16th at 10PM
Laugh It Up: Stand Up Comedy
(RMB 50)
The Beijing comedy scene has exploded over the last few years, with more and more comedians providing enough chuckles to take the edge off the city. Join us for a special showcase of some of the Beijing's best comedians.
8. Thursday, March 21st at 10PM
Translation Slam: Cross Talk
(RMB 50)
Get ready, word nerds. Our Translation Slam is back! We pit two translators against each other to compare, contrast and clash over the nuances of translation. Each translator will present their versions as our host Danni Zheng leads an open and lively discussion with the audience. Having tackled fiction, music lyrics, subtitles and even the dreaded poetry at past slams this time our translators will take on Cross-Talk. Join us as we crack open the often confusing and impenetrable Chinese comedy form and find out what your taxi driver is always chuckling about.
9. Friday, March 22nd at 6PM
Fantastical Tales
(RMB 65)
Swedish sensation Karin Tidbeck's Jagannath is a "feast of darkly fantastical stories." From the scientific report of the maybe mythical creatures in "Pyre"' to a space-age biological ark in "Jagganath," the stories in this collection are full of imaginative marvels, quirky characters and surreal monstrosities. Tidbeck draws from Nordic folklore and haunting science fiction themes to create unique and odd stories that linger with you long after reading. In his novel Confucius in a Hot Air Balloon, Chinese sci-fi writer Fei Dao uses the frame- work of traditional tales to create a fantastical story set in the modern day. He uses his writing, like The Storytelling Robot, as a vehicle to speculate on the future of society and relationships. Tidbeck and Fei Dao discuss the reality of fantasy and how the magical brings us closer to truth.
Swedish Sensation Karin Tidbeck & Chinese Scifi Writer Fei Dao
For a full list of The Bookworm's Literary Festival Authors, see here.
Last year, certain events were sold out within days of tickets being released. Hurry as tickets are going fast!
Tickets are exclusively being sold at The Bookworm (starting January 25 for "Friends of the Festival" and to the General Public on Friday, February 1).
What qualifies a "Friend of the Festival"? Want to support The Bookworm's International Literary Festival and get hooked up to early-bird tickets and VIP events?
"Our festival simply would not be possible without the invaluable support of our sponsors and friends of the festival. From international flights to marketing materials, the festival relies on the support of many. Your donations – large or small – are what keep us going and help us bring you a world-class festival."
Friends of the Festival Benefits:
- Early-bird tickets: the ticket office opens to Friends of the Festival before opening to the public
- Invitation to a special VIP events and cocktail parties for Friends of the Festival, sponsors and authors
- Name listed on our website
- Great literary karma!
Friends of the Festival Levels
- 1st Edition – RMB 5,000
- Gold Leaf – RMB 1,000
- Leather Bound – RMB 500
To become a friend of the festival, you can contact Alex at The Bookworm.
All Literary Festival Events at The Bookworm include a complimentary beer, glass of wine or soft drink. Tickets are sold exclusively at The Bookworm and must be purchased in person.
If you are interested in getting involved with BLF, email Liz or more information on volunteer opportunities.
The Bookworm's Literary Festival Event Details:
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Date: Friday, March 8- Friday, March 22 (2 weeks)
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Tickets: Exclusively sold at The Bookworm starting January 25 for Friends of the Festival and to General Public on February 1
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Location: The Bookworm
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Address: Sanlitun Nanjie, 三里屯南街4号楼
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Tel: 6503 2050
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Website: http://bookwormfestival.com/
Kuala Lumpur city tour film 2011 in Malaysia by Harry
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