Central European Writers' Reading Month Opens in Poland; Li Ang's Ghost Literature Stuns Audience
The 'Writers' Reading Month,' a major Central European literary event, opened in Wrocław, Poland, with Taiwan as the honorary guest of honor. On the opening night, renowned author Li Ang captivated the audience with her ghost literature, showcasing Taiwan's unique magical landscape and cultural charm.
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(Central News Agency, Wrocław, 6th – Special Report) The 'Writers' Reading Month,' the most representative literary event in Central Europe, opened grandly on the evening of the 6th in Wrocław, Poland. This year, Taiwan was specially invited as the honorary guest of honor. Over the next 16 days, a Taiwanese writer will be featured each day. The opening night featured renowned author Li Ang, who led the audience on an exploration of Taiwan's magical landscapes with the charm of her ghost literature.
In her opening address, Ma Jia-ying, Deputy Director of the Cultural Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague, emphasized that with the support of Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, as the honorary guest of honor (honorowy gość), is showcasing not only its semiconductors but also its novels written late into the night, its historical scars, and its souls that refuse to be simplified.
Katarzyna Janusik, Director of the Wrocławski Dom Literatury (Wrocław House of Literature), the organizer, also expressed excitement in her speech, stating that Wrocław, as a UNESCO City of Literature, is honored to invite Taiwan as the honorary guest of honor, bringing a rare literary feast to Polish readers.
Before her formal reading, Li Ang emotionally shared her deep connection with Poland. She recalled that her seminal work, 'The Butcher's Wife' (Shāfū), a milestone in Taiwanese feminist literature published in 1983, was translated into Polish in 2023. A seminar held for it at the Warsaw Book Fair drew an audience of 300 to 400 people.
Li Ang remarked that in an era where promoting pure literature is challenging, it is remarkable to have so many people willing to sit and listen to a lecture, and she felt 'very, very honored' by their enthusiasm.
Subsequently, Li Ang read a selected passage from 'The River Granny on the Other Shore,' part of her new work 'Ghostly Trilogy.' During the reading, Li Ang used a cadenced and emotionally charged voice to vividly portray the mysterious and oppressive atmosphere of the boundary between yin and yang, holding the audience spellbound.
Carefully translated Polish subtitles were simultaneously projected on the large screen, instantly transporting the Central European audience into Taiwan's unique magical narrative space.
In an in-depth discussion moderated by Táňa Dluhošová, Director of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dluhošová asked why Taiwanese literature often features descriptions of gods and ghosts. Li Ang wittily replied that Taiwanese people generally believe in reincarnation. She mentioned that a religious teacher once told her that although she had drunk the 'soup of forgetfulness' (Meng Po soup), she hadn't completely forgotten everything, thus retaining a unique sensitivity.
She humorously described herself as 'a witch who writes novels.'
Li Ang further explained that the inspiration for the 'Ghostly Trilogy,' which took 20 years to write and was published this year, comes from Taiwan itself. Taiwan is an island covered with high mountains, where various spirits and monsters lurk deep in the forests. Moreover, Taiwan is a democratic country that highly guarantees freedom of belief. The inclusive religious environment, interwoven with its mountainous and coastal landscapes, has given Taiwan immense explosive power to establish its own 'ghost literature.' She hopes it can go international, much like Latin American 'magical realism.'
The event concluded with a Q&A session and a book signing. Li Ang posed an interesting question to the Polish audience: when reading Taiwanese literature, do they prefer socio-political themes presented through 'Taiwanese cuisine,' or are they more attracted to the 'Taiwanese religious and ghostly themes' shared that evening?
A majority of the Polish audience members raised their hands for 'religion and ghosts,' demonstrating the strong curiosity of Central European readers towards Taiwan's mysterious folk beliefs, bringing the opening night to a climax of cross-cultural dialogue. (Editor: Hong Pei-ying) 1150607
In her opening address, Ma Jia-ying, Deputy Director of the Cultural Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague, emphasized that with the support of Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, as the honorary guest of honor (honorowy gość), is showcasing not only its semiconductors but also its novels written late into the night, its historical scars, and its souls that refuse to be simplified.
Katarzyna Janusik, Director of the Wrocławski Dom Literatury (Wrocław House of Literature), the organizer, also expressed excitement in her speech, stating that Wrocław, as a UNESCO City of Literature, is honored to invite Taiwan as the honorary guest of honor, bringing a rare literary feast to Polish readers.
Before her formal reading, Li Ang emotionally shared her deep connection with Poland. She recalled that her seminal work, 'The Butcher's Wife' (Shāfū), a milestone in Taiwanese feminist literature published in 1983, was translated into Polish in 2023. A seminar held for it at the Warsaw Book Fair drew an audience of 300 to 400 people.
Li Ang remarked that in an era where promoting pure literature is challenging, it is remarkable to have so many people willing to sit and listen to a lecture, and she felt 'very, very honored' by their enthusiasm.
Subsequently, Li Ang read a selected passage from 'The River Granny on the Other Shore,' part of her new work 'Ghostly Trilogy.' During the reading, Li Ang used a cadenced and emotionally charged voice to vividly portray the mysterious and oppressive atmosphere of the boundary between yin and yang, holding the audience spellbound.
Carefully translated Polish subtitles were simultaneously projected on the large screen, instantly transporting the Central European audience into Taiwan's unique magical narrative space.
In an in-depth discussion moderated by Táňa Dluhošová, Director of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dluhošová asked why Taiwanese literature often features descriptions of gods and ghosts. Li Ang wittily replied that Taiwanese people generally believe in reincarnation. She mentioned that a religious teacher once told her that although she had drunk the 'soup of forgetfulness' (Meng Po soup), she hadn't completely forgotten everything, thus retaining a unique sensitivity.
She humorously described herself as 'a witch who writes novels.'
Li Ang further explained that the inspiration for the 'Ghostly Trilogy,' which took 20 years to write and was published this year, comes from Taiwan itself. Taiwan is an island covered with high mountains, where various spirits and monsters lurk deep in the forests. Moreover, Taiwan is a democratic country that highly guarantees freedom of belief. The inclusive religious environment, interwoven with its mountainous and coastal landscapes, has given Taiwan immense explosive power to establish its own 'ghost literature.' She hopes it can go international, much like Latin American 'magical realism.'
The event concluded with a Q&A session and a book signing. Li Ang posed an interesting question to the Polish audience: when reading Taiwanese literature, do they prefer socio-political themes presented through 'Taiwanese cuisine,' or are they more attracted to the 'Taiwanese religious and ghostly themes' shared that evening?
A majority of the Polish audience members raised their hands for 'religion and ghosts,' demonstrating the strong curiosity of Central European readers towards Taiwan's mysterious folk beliefs, bringing the opening night to a climax of cross-cultural dialogue. (Editor: Hong Pei-ying) 1150607
FAQ
What is the name of this event?
It is called 'Writers' Reading Month'.
Where is it being held?
In Wrocław, Poland.
What is Taiwan's role?
Taiwan was invited as the honorary guest of honor.