This week, our editors take us through Central America, France, and China to explore the reaches of literature, from a transcendent event honouring the poems of Robert Bolaño, to the new World Book Capital in France, and works featuring vital new voices from the Chinese language. Read on to find out more!
Rubén López, Editor-at-Large, reporting from Central America
When I entered the room, it looked like a coven: a group of people gathered around an edition of Roberto Bolaño’s Complete Poetry. Each member of the group would take turns to step into the centre, leaf through the text for a moment, and then recite one of the Chilean author’s poems at random, like a poetic Russian roulette. As I took my seat, one of the young men was reading the final verses of “The Romantic Dogs”. I had arrived at the event without much certainty about what it would be like; the poster from Perjura Proyecto, a cultural and artistic dissemination space, only said “The Poetry Came” and had a sketch of Bolaño’s silhouette. And, of course, it also mentioned the date and time—May 23, 17:00.
When it was my turn, I decided I wanted to read “Godzilla in Mexico”, my favorite poem by Bolaño. I clumsily flipped through the text while trying to make conversation with the rest of the participants, but I couldn’t find it. I apologised to the group because I would break the Russian roulette and put the bullet in the centre; I searched for it on my phone. As I recited “Yo leía en la habitación de al lado cuando supe que íbamos a morir”, I was overcome with a deep tenderness. I saw us, in the midst of a vertiginous and infamous city—a group of no more than ten people gathered to read Bolaño’s poems to each other. I thought about the infinite forms of cultural resistance in which we exist, all self-managed, all on the margins, all filled with beauty.
The group interaction evolved into the creative sensibilities of several members. Each person shared a text of their own, their aesthetic perspectives, or a personal anecdote about Bolaño’s literature. I know that the Chilean had always laughed at the aspirations of transcendence in many writers of his generation, but somehow he embraced us that anonymous May afternoon, as we read him.
In other news, Miguel Ángel Asturias will return to Guatemala. Fifty years after the death of the Nobel Laureate in Literature, his remains will be repatriated from France to end his exile. The author of Mr. President was forced to leave when the 1954 Counterrevolution seized power by force and established decades of military governments; his return to Guatemala represents the symbolic return of the October Revolution with the current government of Bernardo Arévalo, son of the first democratic president of the twentieth century, Juan José Arévalo.
Miguel Ángel Asturias Amado, the writer’s son, stated that the decision to repatriate his father fifty years after his death carries a profound emotional, but also political, significance. It seeks to fulfil the wishes his father expressed in “Litanies of the Exiled,” a poem in which the Nobel Laureate addresses his experience as an exile:
And you, exiled one:
Always passing through, always passing through,
having the earth as an inn,
having everything as if on loan,
having no shadow but luggage,
maybe tomorrow, tomorrow or never. . .
Kathryn Raver, Assistant Managing Editor, reporting from France
Strasbourg, a city in France located just near the country’s border with Germany, has long been beloved for its cultural history, gorgeous architecture, and, of course, its annual Marché de Noël. As the one-time home of Johannes Gutenberg, Strasbourg is already a literary hub. But bibliophiles now have even more reason to add the city to their travel plans this year—UNESCO has named Strasbourg the World Book Capital for 2024!
The World Book Capital Advisory Committee cited the city’s emphasis on “books’ ability to encourage debate and discussion of environmental concerns and scientific knowledge, focusing on young people as agents of change” in addition to its literary and artistic heritage.
Although celebrations began in April, there’s no shortage of bookish events to attend in Strasbourg for the remainder of the year. The upcoming Printer’s Festival will take place June 29 and 30 to celebrate printing and graphic art, in addition to being a celebration of Johannes Gutenberg himself. This year’s festival will focus on all of the trades and crafts that go into the creation of a book, and will feature workshops for everything from lithography to silkscreen printing.
Other events in Strasbourg this month—the theme of which is “Read Our World”—include an art-themed journey through the city’s independent bookstores, a living library featuring Afghanistan culture, a conference on manga, and passage of the Olympic Flame through the city on June 26.
Jiaoyang Li, Editor-at-large, reporting for China
On June 5th, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW) in New York City celebrated the release of Fang Si-Chi’s First Love Paradise, a groundbreaking novel that emerged as the most influential book of Taiwan’s #MeToo movement. The event, held in collaboration with the Taipei Cultural Center and Accent Society, featured a thought-provoking conversation between translator Jenna Tang and poet Soje, delving into the novel’s powerful narrative and its exploration of sexual violence, vulnerability, and survival.
First Love Paradise subverts the traditional Lolita narrative, focusing on the experiences of thirteen-year-old Fang Si-Chi, who falls victim to a predatory teacher in her upscale Taiwanese apartment complex. The novel’s emotional rawness and unflinching portrayal of grooming and trauma have resonated deeply with readers, particularly in light of the #MeToo movement’s global impact. Through Si-Chi’s journey, the book compels readers to confront painful truths about the vulnerability and strength of women in the face of abuse, serving as a testament to the power of shared stories and experiences in bringing about change.
The event provided a platform for the audience to engage with this staggering work of literature, which resonates across cultures and highlights the importance of the #MeToo movement in giving voice to survivors and pushing for societal change. As Taiwanese literature continues to gain international recognition, First Love Paradise stands out as a crucial contribution to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sexual violence and the empowerment of women.
Similarly, the recent adaptation of Li Juan’s acclaimed essay collection My Altay into the television series To the Wonder has brought increased attention to the vibrant literary scene in China’s Xinjiang. The series, which premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, follows the story of Li Wenxiu, a young Han Chinese woman from Altay, who pursues her literary dreams in the face of numerous setbacks.
Li Juan’s prose, which vividly captures the life and customs of the Altay region, has garnered praise for its authentic portrayal of personal growth, familial bonds, and the appreciation of one’s roots. The international success of her work, including the English translation Winter Pasture: One Woman’s Journey with China’s Kazakh Herders, has solidified her reputation as a talented and insightful writer, introducing the unique world of Altay to a global audience.
As both Fang Si-Chi’s First Love Paradise and Li Juan’s My Altay continue to captivate readers and viewers, they serve as powerful reminders of the transformative potential of literature in shining a light on underrepresented experiences and driving social change.
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