Hong Kong Celebrates Writers

Written by Ema Poposka

Hong Kong International Literary Festival is back in town for its 19th edition

For ten days, from November 1st to 10th, 2019, Hong Kong will be home to more than fifty authors from all around the world, including Canada, Singapore, Germany, Mexico, Australia. They will be joined by around ten Hong Kong authors in giving book talks and workshops at different locations around town. The participants in the 19th Hong Kong Literary Festival are not only writers but journalists, illustrators, photographers, historians, and performers. Although the Festival is primarily intended for adult audiences, several of the visiting authors write for young adults.

Of greatest interest to RCHK Year 7 students is the visit by John Boyne. His book The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is on the English reading list for this year. John Boyne will be talking about his latest book My Brother’s Name is Jessica, however, this is a great opportunity to learn more about where he finds his inspiration, and how he does research for his stories.

“I would love to be able to talk directly with John Boyne and ask him why did he choose to write about World War II from the perspective of a German boy,” says Dilara, a Year 7 student at RCHK. Another award-winning historical novel about World War II presented at the Festival will be Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief. Similar to John Boyne’s story, this book’s main character is a young German child living under Nazism in the 1940s.

Readers who are more interested in the local literature should visit the events with Emmy the Great and Lindsay Varty. On November 3rd, both of them will share stories of their Hong Kong childhood memories at the K11 Atelier. Additionally, Emmy The Great will be holding book swaps for children at the Fringe on 7 and 9 November. Those who prefer a more active experience can join local author Lindsay Varty on a walking tour based on her creative work Sunset Survivors which talks about Hong Kong’s disappearing traditional crafts.

There will also be an Emoji spelling bee with Jennifer 8. Lee, which promises to be entertaining and hilarious. Audiences will be taught modern spelling that asks participants to use emoji to craft popular and literary phrases. The winners will be determined based on creativity, wit, and accuracy. If that is not interesting enough participants could just make their own emoji.

Angela Tse, a Teaching Fellow at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, says that “more interesting activities involving movement and hands-on experience have been added to the program this year particularly suitable for young readers.” She particularly recommends the Mui Wo History and Floral Tour with Sally Bunker, the graphic novel workshop by Renée Nault, and the sci-fi writing workshop with Chen Qiufan.

This is just a glimpse of the vibrant Festival program. There are many more events to satisfy the interests of almost everyone. “I hope this year we also get a chance to invite some of the authors to visit RCHK,” promised Ms. Michelle Roberts, the MYP teacher-librarian.