Taiwan writer-translator Chen Yu-hong will present 10 of her emotive and thought-provoking poems at the world-renowned Night of Literature May 25 in Paris, according to the Ministry of Culture.
Chen is one of 17 talents selected for the seventh edition of the annual literary showcase by organizer Forum of Foreign Cultural Institutes in Paris. She will be accompanied by France-based Taiwan artist Yilin Yang and respected art, culture and history academic Marie Laureillard.
Born in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City, Chen started writing poems in her 50s. She has seven volumes of original works to her name, with 80 translated into French by Laureillard for an anthology released in 2018 by France-headquartered publisher Circe.
Chen is also widely credited with helping raise awareness of American poetry in Taiwan. Some of her most successful translations into Chinese include “The Great Fires” by Jack Gilbert and “The Wild Iris” by Louise Gluck.
According to the MOC, interest in Taiwan poetry is on the rise in France due to promotional efforts by its Taiwan Cultural Center in Paris. One of the most successful involves securing a commitment by Circe to publish three local works per year. (HC-E)
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