Writers gather for China Australia Literary Forum

China Australia Literary Forum 

The Writing and Society Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney is pleased to announce the Third China Australia Literary Forum will take place August 28-29 in Sydney.

The China Australia Literary Forum (CALF) is a unique biennial program, providing a rare and exciting opportunity for leading authors from the two countries to meet, exchange ideas and experiences, and develop a deeper understanding of their respective literary worlds.

A long-term collaboration between the leading literary body in China, the China Writers Association and the Writing and Society Research Centre, the Forum brings an eminent delegation of leading Chinese authors to Sydney to meet with an equally impressive group of established and emerging Australian writers.

The writers will come together for a one-day public forum featuring in depth panel discussions on topics including:

  • What is the role and function of literature? 
  • How does literature imagine and engage with the world? 
  • How far is translation possible?

The event will include participating translators and publishers to broaden the discussion on ways to promote readership of literature in both markets. 

China represents one of the largest growing markets for Australian literature, with a rapidly expanding English readership, particularly in the 16-30 age group.

Previous CALF events held in Australia (2011) and China (2013) have featured leading authors including Nobel Prize laureates Mo Yan and JM Coetzee, Sheng Keyi, Nicholas Jose, Gail Jones, and others. 

The relationships forged at these events have led to translations and publications, including the Mandarin translation of Alexis Wright's Carpentaria, which was launched in Beijing by Nobel Laureate Mo Yan in 2014, following their meeting at the first Forum.

In 2015, CALF III participants include acclaimed popular Chinese novelist Yu Hua, Chair of the China Writers Association Tie Ning, Sichuan novelist A Lai, Miles Franklin winning author Alexis Wright, leading Australian poet John Tranter, and emerging talents Fiona McFarlane and Michael Mohammed  Ahmad.

To RSVP for the forum please email hannah@creative-asia.net

Ends

24 August 2015

Media contact: Mark Smith, Senior Media Officer

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