A series of Taiwan literary salon activities are currently underway in Germany, spotlighting government work to expand the international reach of local literature, according to the Ministry of Culture.
A picture book translated into German is in the Youth Program of the 24th Berlin International Literature Festival with the support of the MOC and planning by the Taipei Representative Office in Germany cultural section. Jointly created by Chang Yu-jan and Yan Shu-nü, the book was inspired by Indigenous Tsuo legends and calls on readers to appreciate and protect nature.
Taiwan writers Joanne Deng, Ma Yi-hang and comic artist Sean Chuang will read their work Oct. 11 at the TRO in Germany building prior to heading to the Taiwan pavilion for activities in the Frankfurt Book Fair starting in mid-October, the MOC said. Author Lu Ping and professor of National Chengchi University Department of European Languages and Cultures, Annie Hsu, will read aloud from a selection of Taiwan contemporary short stories Oct. 24 at the TRO in Germany office, the ministry added.
Manga author Chuang will also give lectures at Trier and Bochum Oct. 22 and Oct. 24, respectively. With parallels to the background of many East German young people taking to the streets for democracy before the reunification in the 1980s, the author will discuss his award-winning “‘80s Diary in Taiwan,” which was translated into German in 2015 and a new work “Local Heroes.”
In addition, the TRO in Germany Head Shieh Jhy-wey will donate books from Taiwan to two libraries Sept. 22 in Görlitz during a Taiwan day event. Yeh Wei-ni, director of the representative office’s cultural division, noted that since Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. set up a factory in eastern Germany, many local governments and cultural institutions are interested in exchanges to deepen understanding of Taiwan.
Yeh said literature and comics are excellent platforms to introduce the country, adding that this year’s salon edition includes seminars, book fairs and painting workshops all of which raise awareness of arts and letters. (YCH-E)
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