Festival Schedule

Thursday 6th March 7:30pm FESTIVAL OPENING ‘The Writing Life’ with Qiu Xiaolong and Adam Williams Join us for the Grand Opening of the Beijing Bookworm International Literary Festival 2008! As an introduction to the festival, we take a peek into ‘the writing life’, hearing from two writers at the peak of their craft. Qiu Xiaolong, bestselling author of the Inspector Chen detective series, comes all the way from St Louis, Missouri to share with China audiences for the first time details of his brand new book, ‘Red Mandarin Dress’. Hear Xiaolong and locally based British novelist Adam Williams discuss their ‘writing lives’, over a glass of celebratory champagne.

Friday 7th March 7:30pm CRIME AND SOCIETY Qiu Xiaolong and Catherine Sampson. Moderator Paul French Can crime fiction hold a mirror up to society? Can it reassure us there can be order in a world gone mad? And does crime fiction set in China in particular allow us to probe societal depths other genres, or even reportage, can’t reach? Crime writers Qiu Xiaolong (Death of a Red Heroine, A Loyal Character Dancer) and Catherine Sampson (Falling Off Air, Pool of Unease) flesh out the issues, expertly moderated by author of ‘A Peking Murder’, Paul French.

Saturday 8th March 3pm THE FORBIDDEN CITY The Forbidden City was at the geographical and metaphorical heart of Beijing’s imperial life for centuries, and again a feature of the high socialist era under Mao. But how much do we really know about it, its history and fate? Professor of Chinese History at the Australia National University, Canberra, Geremie Barme reads from his fascinating new book, produced as part of the ‘Wonders of the World’ series produced by Profile books in London and Harvard University Press. This afternoon’s talk is followed by a short presentation by the Beijing Cultural Heritage Project on how you can do your part to help preserve architectural and historical wonders such as the Forbidden City.

Saturday 8th March 7:30pm BOOKLAUNCH: Beijing PORTRAIT OF A CITY
This event is free, but still requires that you have a ticket. Tonight, The Bookworm is thrilled to host the very first launch of the brand new book, Beijing Portrait of a City, a collection essays which take the city of Beijing as their muse, as compiled by Alexandra Pearson and Lucy Cavender. Featuring writing from China luminaries such as Peter Hessler, Ma Jian, Tim Clissold, and Zhu Wen, Portrait is a fascinating overview of Beijing as it is, now, today, in 2008. The launch, hosted by Alex Pearson and Lucy Cavender, will include readings from contributing authors.

Saturday 8th March 8:00pm WRITERS CABARET HOSTED BY NURY VITTACHI
This event is free but still requires that you have a ticket. Writers are often more unruly characters than their day jobs suggest them to be!! Join us for a chaotic, riotous evening of performance, song and spoken word, under the expert guidance of the inimitable Nury Vittachi. And if you’re feeling theatrical, why not join in?

Sunday 9th March 11am – 12.30pm STORY TELLING SECRETS WORKSHOP WITH NURY VITTACHI 100RMB Where did the idea for Star Wars come from? Could you write the next Harry Potter? Author Nury Vittachi tells tales, reveals some secrets, and shows you how to write a perfect story! Please note this event will be held at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn Ages 7 – 14

Thursday 6th March 7:30pm MORAL AMBIGUITY IN FICTION Nicholas Jose and Roy Kesey. Moderated by Edward Ragg The drama and tension surrounding moral choice is the lifeblood of fiction. Come and hear two big literary thinkers debate the issues – are authors responsible for the moral choices of their characters? What happens to the reader when characters make reprehensible moral choices? Should the moral universe of a work of fiction represent the world view of the author? A huge literary theme to get your teeth into, first thing on a Sunday morning! Moderated by Edward Ragg.
Nicholas Jose is brought to you by Australian Writers’ Week

Sunday 9th March 3.00pm IN CONVERSATION WITH JUSTIN HILL Moderated by Jo Lusby Justin Hill has shaped his writing career around the fascinating locales in which he has lived, be it pre-civil war Eritrea, or deepest darkest Fuling as a VSO volunteer. Shortlisted for the Thomas Cook Travel Award, and nominated as one of the Best Young British Novelists of 2003, come and hear what makes Justin Hill tick as a writer, where he finds his inspiration and why his seminal novel The Drink and Dream Tea House initially got him into such hot water… Interviewed by Jo Lusby.

Sunday 9th March 6.00pm FACT AND FRICTION
Lily Brett and Anna Funder, moderated by Nury Vittachi Where does the line lie between fact and fiction? Do writers have a responsibility to represent history accurately, and when is the imagination allowed to intervene? Lily Brett and Anna Funder discuss the issues, with probing questions from Nury Vittachi.
Lily Brett and Anna Funder are brought to you by Australian Writers’ Week

Sunday 9th March 7:30pm FILM SCREENING
With introduction by Zhu Wen A rare opportunity to see South of The Clouds, winner of the NETPAC prize at the Berlin Film Festival 2004. With an introduction and Q&A; with the director, Zhu Wen.

Monday 10th March 12:30 -1:30pm IN CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTOPHER KOCH
Moderated by Australian Ambassador Geoff Raby Twice winner of Australia’s most prestigious prize for fiction, the Miles Franklin, Christopher Koch discusses his new book The Memory Room with Australian Ambassador Geoff Raby. Author of The Year of Living Dangerously, a tale of love, obsession and betrayal, Christopher’s new novel explores secrecy, espionage and ambition, set against a backdrop of 1980s China.
This event is brought to you by Australian Writers’ Week

Monday 10th March 7:30pm IN CONVERSATION WITH PATRICK GALE
Moderated by Ian Johnson Patrick Gale is the author of fourteen novels, including his highly acclaimed latest work, Notes From an Exhibition. Tonight, Bookworm audiences are presented with a rare opportunity to hear from this hugely talented writer, celebrated for his riveting, and profoundly affecting stories of family relationships surviving under adversity and societal pressure. Patrick’s latest novel Notes, has recently been selected for the Richard and Judy Bookclub in the UK; their recommendations have gone on in numerous occasions to make household names of the authors selected. See Patrick Gale now before he’s carried off in a wave of celebrity!
Tonight the discussion with Patrick is nominated by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of Wild Grass: China’s Revolution From Below, Ian Johnson.

Monday 10th March 7:30pm AN AUDIENCE WITH NURY
A LITERARY DINNER WITH NURY VITTACHI
250RMB Join Nury Vittachi for an intimate evening of great food and fabulous conversation.
Tickets limited to 20, and include dinner and wine.
Please note this event will not be held at The Bookworm, but at Cafe Europa

Tuesday 11th March 7:30pm ETHICAL MEMOIRS
Patrick Gale and Zhang Lijia
Moderated by Justin Hill Patrick Gale (Friendly Fire, Notes From an Exhibition) joins Lijia Zhang (Socialism is Great!) for a lively discussion on the opportunities and challenges created by that most mercurial of our story telling resources – our memories.

Tuesday 11th March 7:30pm SENSE OF PLACE
Rob Gifford and Justin Hill in dialogue From John Steinbeck’s depression era dustbowls, to the sultry harems of the Arabian Nights, a sense of place in any kind of writing, be it fiction, memoir, travelogue or poetry, envelops the reader in the physical and emotional world their characters inhabit. Rob Gifford and Justin Hill share and debate their ideas on how to create setting – and atmosphere – in their work.

Wednesday 12th March 12:30pm – 1:30pm COMMITTING JOURNALISMJames Kynge, Jon Watts and Rob Gifford
Moderated by Melinda Liu Journalism can be a risky business in any locale but what are the specific challenges presented by working in China? Don’t miss the chance to hear three veterans of the craft – Rob Gifford, (NPR), James Kynge (FT, Pearson Group) and Jonathon Watts (The Guardian), discuss the ethical considerations a journalist faces, debate the challenges and share their adventures with Melinda Liu (Newsweek).

Wednesday 12th March 7:30pm THE POWER OF LITERATURE
Hari Kunzru and Gail Jones
Moderated by Nikki Anderson We all love a good story, but how powerful can literature be? Gail Jones and Hari Kunzru discuss politics, globalisation, disenfranchisement and identity in their writing, and the place for writers getting political. With Nikki Anderson as moderator.
Gail Jones is brought to you by Australian Writers’ Week

Thursday 13th March 12:30 – 1:30 FINDING THE MUSE
Ouyang Yu and Liz Niven
Moderated by Su Xiaowei Where do ideas come from? And how do writers turn them into award winning poetry and fiction? Scottish and Chinese-Australian writers Liz Niven and Ouyang Yu reflect on where the roots of their work lie, and discuss how to create full blown fires from the sparks of creativity. Moderated by Su Xiaowei.
Ouyang Yu is brought to you by Australian Writers’ Week

Thursday 13th March 6:30pm CONTEMPORARY CHINESE FICTION
Howard Goldblatt Howard Goldblatt needs little introduction, having taught, studied and translated the best of contemporary Chinese literature for more than a quarter of a century. Come and relish this rare opportunity to hear from a master translator and expert in his field, who has translated such luminaries as Mo Yan, Su Tong, Wang Shuo, and Chu Tien-Wen. Not to be missed! Moderated by Eric Abrahamsen.

Thursday 13th March 8:00pmm BOOK LAUNCH – WOLF TOTEM
With Howard Goldblatt and Jo Lusby
This event is free but still requires that you have a ticket. Already creating a buzz across Asia and beyond by winning the very first Man Asia Literary Prize before it was even in print, Wolf Totem has all the hallmarks of becoming a popular classic! Celebrate its launch over a glass of champagne tonight with translator Howard Goldblatt, Jo Lusby from Penguin China, and a host of other bookish celebs.

Friday 14th March 12:30 – 1:30pm BOOK TALK
Christopher Kremmer
Moderated by Ed Gargan Meet Christopher Kremmer, Australia’s most celebrated travel journalist as he discusses his trilogy of Asian nonfiction. Mixing politics and culture, poetry and analysis, from Afghanistan and India, to Laos, Kremmer creates engrossing literary portraits of Asian societies in the grip of profound change.
Christopher Kremmer is brought to by Australian Writers’ Week

Friday 14th March 7:30pm DREAMING IN MONGOLIAN
IN CONVERSATION WITH JOHN MAN
Moderated by James Kynge John Man has given the fascinating characters of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan and Attila the Hun new life in the popular imagination via his bestselling biographies, following up in recent years with accounts of both the Terracotta Army, and of course The Great Wall. A must for Mongolia enthusiasts, don’t miss him tonight in conversation with fellow Mongol expert, James Kynge.

Saturday 15th March 11am STORY HOUR WITH XU ZHAO HUI Criss crossing chengdu’s bustling streets every day, carrying passengers to every corner of the city are the stars of the public transport world – the public buses! A Thomas the Tank engine for chengdu, Xu Zhao Hui’s bilingual ‘Bus Adventures’ stories reveal a magical element to the city around us. Come and share in a story hour with Hui, in both Chinese and English.
Suitable for ages three and up.

Saturday 15th March 2pm – 5pm TRAVEL WRITING WORKSHOP
with George Dunford (Lonely Planet)
FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang What makes good travel writing? What are editors publishing? This 3-hour workshop looks at magazine articles in-depth with principles for longer narrative pieces. Including sample articles and exercises, this workshop aims to get you publishing more travel writing pieces.
Course includes:
– Story ideas & travel trends
– Research techniques
– Elements of good writing
– Pitching to publish
Please note that this workshop will take place at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn

Thursday 6th March 7:30pm FESTIVAL OPENING ‘The Writing Life’ with Qiu Xiaolong and Adam Williams Join us for the Grand Opening of the chengdu Bookworm International Literary Festival 2008! As an introduction to the festival, we take a peek into ‘the writing life’, hearing from two writers at the peak of their craft. Qiu Xiaolong, bestselling author of the Inspector Chen detective series, comes all the way from St Louis, Missouri to share with China audiences for the first time details of his brand new book, ‘Red Mandarin Dress’. Hear Xiaolong and locally based British novelist Adam Williams discuss their ‘writing lives’, over a glass of celebratory champagne.

Saturday 15th March 3pm MODERN CHINA– A DISCUSSION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ONE WAY STREET LIBRARY
IN CHINESE

Sunday 16th March 11am YOUNG ADULT POETRY AND LYRICS WORKSHOP with Liz Niven
FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang
100RMB Poet? Lyricist? Songwriter? Come and hear tips of the trade from poet Liz Niven on how to get started with poetry and songwriting, and if you’re already writing, on how to make your work even better!
Ages 12 and up
Please note that this workshop will take place at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn

Sunday 16th March 2pm POETRY MASTERCLASS – ADULTS with Liz Niven
FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang
120RMB Liz Niven has 20 years experience teaching poetry and creative writing at every level, and in venues ranging from Latvian chateux, to air traffic control towers in the Scottish highlands. Tips, discussion and exercises on how to use your already rich life experiences as the basis for poetry and, for more experienced writers, on how to improve your craft. Work can be submitted for consideration in advance.
Please note that this workshop will take place at FISH NATION, Nanluoguxiang. www.fishnation.cn

Sunday 16th March 3pm INDEPENDENT CHINESE CINEMA – A DISCUSSION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH ONE WAY STREET LIBRARY
IN CHINESE

Sunday 16th March 5pm SPECIAL EVENT: BRIAN KEENANSPECIAL EVENT!!! IN CONVERSATION Brian Keenan was taken hostage in Beirut in 1986, spending the next four and a half years blindfolded in a windowless cell in Lebanon. His release, and the subsequent publication of An Evil Cradling made him a household name in the UK and Ireland. His later work has proved his literary talent to extend far beyond the recounting of his years in confinement. Don’t miss this amazing chance to hear his story, and the way his experiences have shaped him as a writer.

Sunday 16th March 7:30pm FILM SCREENING – MASS GAMES
With introduction by Nick Bonner Back by popular demand, we’re delighted to offer audiences the opportunity to experience Nick Bonner’s seminal film, documenting one gymnast’s preparations for the biggest, most bizarre collective experience on earth – North Korea’s annual Mass Games. Hear from Nick himself on the making of the film, and ask him anything you choose to on the mysteries of the hermit kingdom.

Monday 17th March 7:30pm DOING BUSINESS, CHINA STYLE
Jim McGregor and Tim Clissold
Moderated by Shelia Melvin Hugely successful writers Tim Clissold (Mr China) and Jim McGregor (One Billion Customers) share the often hilarious stories behind their best selling China business titles, as moderated by Sheila Melvin, of the US China Business Council and author of The Little Red Book of China Business.

Tuesday 18th March 7:30pm IN CONVERSATION WITH YIYUN LI
Moderated by Jenny Niven Its testament to Yiyun Li’s extraordinary first collection of short stories, One Thousand Years of Good Prayers that when she ran up against visa issues in the United States, amongst her chief supporters were Salman Rushdie and Susan Sontag. Need we say more? Tonight Yiyun Li reads from her multiple-award winning collection, and shares her insights on ‘the writing life’.

Wednesday 19th March 7:30pm POETRY SHOWCASE
Liz Niven, Edward Ragg and Miles Merrill An utterly eclectic line up, tonight presents a fabulous opportunity to hear from writers working across the poetry spectrum, from Liz Niven’s haunting use of Scots language and linguistic form, to the fascinating links Edward Ragg uncovers between poetry and wine, to Rastafarian Miles Merrill’s downright arresting slam performance poetry.

Thursday 20th March 7:30pm FESTIVAL CLOSING
CHINA AND FICTION
Zhu Wen and Yiyun Li Have we saved the best for last? Come and drink a toast to the closing event of two weeks of superlative literary activity, in the very best of company. Writers Yiyun Li and Zhu Wen discuss the rise and rise of fiction from China and the Chinese diaspora.