2015 Sun Yat-sen University International Writers’ Residency, Oct. 19 - Nov. 14

The Sun Yat-sen University International Writers' Residency, hosted by the Sun Yat-sen University Center for English-language Creative Writing, is a 28-day annual event,  which will begin its inaugural program in Fall 2015, and last from October 18 until November 14. The Residency strives to promote the reading, discussion, and writing of world literature by providing a space for international writers to read and write; by giving international writers a chance to engage with Chinese literature and literary translators, Chinese culture and people; by creating opportunities for students to interact with internationally renowned writers; and by showcasing the creative writing of Sun Yat-sen University's faculty and students. 

The Residency will have an exciting travel arc, moving from the Guangzhou and Zhuhai campuses of Sun Yat-sen University to Yangshuo in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, and to Jiangmen in Guangdong Province. In Yangshuo, writers will have the chance to write in one of the most beautiful natural settings in China. In Jiangmen, the Residency will be based in the Gudou Hot Spring Hotel, which is close to a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. Readings and workshops will be held in Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, and Yangshuo, where there will also be opportunities for trips and cultural activities.

Roughly a dozen participants will be invited each year, including a documentary filmmaker and one or two literary translators. In the Jiangmen phase of the Residency, four Chinese literary translators, BAO Huiyi, DING Jun, XIANG Dingding, Sheng Yun, and ZHANG Yalin will join the group for three days. The selection of writers and translators is based on recommendations from established writers/literary critics who are already part of the advisory circle of the Sun Yat-sen University Center for English-language Creative Writing.

The following is the list of writers/translators for the 2015 Residency. For the Yangshuo and Jiangmen phases of the Residency: Catherine Cole (Australia), Roberto Frias (Mexico), Philip Graham (U.S.), John Hughes (documentary filmmaker, Australia), Lieve Joris (the Netherlands/Belgium), Khaled Khamissi (Egypt), Jeanine Leane (Australia), Eileen Pun (UK/US), Ricardo de Ungria (the Philippines), and WEI Donghua (guest documentary filmmaker, China). For the Jiangmen phase only: Lynda Chanwai Earle (New Zealand), Patricia Foster (U.S.), Arjun Raina (Australia/India), Madeleine Thien (Canada), and Zhang Jimo (China).


Residency Program (Events in bold are open to public)