International Writers Workshop...goes to China

I'm currently enjoying my third week of the the International Writers Workshop (IWW) in Hong Kong, and we recently returned from a trip to China. Seven of the eight IWW writers were able to make the 5-day trip, with two interpreters. We traveled via Shanghai to the city of Chanshu and stayed at Changshu Institute of Technology. The visit included opportunities to meet with writers from China, as well as an editor of a major literary magazine, meals with university and regional officials, and sightseeing.

The university campus was located alongside a lake, and we made full use of the teahouse overlooking the water from the first afternoon we arrived, and most evenings thereafter.

At the teahouse at Changshu Institute of Technology 

IWW writer Ouyang Jianghe

The welcome dinner and themed session to exchange ideas on writing and metropolis included writers such as Su Tong, author of the novel Raise the Red Lantern and others.

with author Su Tong

writers gathered for the Writing the Metropolis session

Sightseeing included an ancient library in Changshu where author Ouyang Jianghe took up the calligraphy brush and the writers all followed, creating a message to leave behind.

IWW writer and calligrapher Ouyang Jianghe

IWW writer Bina Shah

our message of greetings and well wishes to the city of Changshu in our various languages

We also visited Xingfu Temple.

some of the IWW writers plus translator Jeremy Tiang

Xingfu Temple

Xingfu Temple

We met with students from the university, some of whom gave recitations of our work and asked astute questions about writing fiction and poetry.

IWW writers with students at Changshu Institute of Technology

On our fourth day we visited Suzhou where I was especially thrilled to visit Pan Men gate and surrounding gardens, site of the near drowning I witnessed years ago that became the inspiration for the opening of my novel Ash. I had goosebumps as I stepped inside the tea pavilion where my husband and I had sat so many years ago helplessly watching the harrowing incident across the pond that gave rise to the story of Caitlin and Mie.

Pan Men scenery area

tea pavilion at Pan Men scenery area

We also visited Suzhou's Humble Administrator's Garden, one of my favorites.

Humble Administrator's Garden

Humble Administrator's Garden

Humble Administrator's Garden

We enjoyed a lovely feast followed by an afternoon boating in the maze of wetlands and strolling about Shajiabang, a recreated culture village.

the wonderful editor Lin Jianfa

at Shajiabang

IWW writers Ouyang Jianghe and Egoyan Zheng

at Shajiabang

IWW writer Ajit Baral

IWW writers and interpreters plus editor Lin Jianfa

On the university campus, I discovered on morning walks that students rise early, and some days it was like walking into a poem, finding students at dawn, lakeside, reciting from their books.

campus of Changshu Institute of Technology

university students lining up for 7:00 a.m. attendance 

from Changshu Institute of Technology campus

On our last day the university was holding a sports festival, with dragon boats on the lake and dragons on the sports ground.

Changshu Institute of Technology sports festival dragon boat

Changshu Institute of Technology sports festival

We left Changshu early for Shanghai and made a dash from Hongqiao Airport on the metro to E. Nanjing Road, then out to the Bund and moments later back on the metro to the airport. It was a wonderful close to the China portion of our IWW experience.

IWW writers (L to R) Meena Kandasamy, Pilar Quintana, Holly Thompson, Bina Shah, Ouyang Jianghe, Egoyan Zheng and Ajit Baral

IWW writers

IWW HKBU interpreters Wayne Wen-Chun Liang and Diana Au

Thank you to Changshu Institute of Technology for hosting us and special thanks to our patient interpreters from Hong Kong Baptist Univerisity!