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‘International Poetry Nights in Hong Kong’, a gala in celebration of poetry and poets, will be held from 26 to 29 November 2009. Jointly organized by the Centre for East Asian Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the International Writers Workshop at Hong Kong Baptist University, and Diocesan Boys’ School, and co-organized by the Faculty of Arts and the University Library System of CUHK, the event is the biggest international gathering of poets in the history of Hong Kong. Famous poets from all around the globe will participate in the event, including Gary Snyder, the doyen of American poetry; Eliot Weinberger, American essayist, poet and translator; Ahmad Abdul Muti Hijazi of Egypt, a leading poet of the Arabic world; Takahashi Mutsuo, a foremost Japanese poet of the post-war period; Luljeta Lleshanaku, Albanian poetess; Kurt Drawert of Germany; and Coral Bracho, a famous Mexican poetess. Joining this stellar cast will be Zhai Yongming and Ouyang Jianghe from the mainland, Hung Hung from Taiwan, and Hong Kong’s Ye Si, Wu Yin-ching, Liu Wai-tong and Bei Dao.

Sponsored by New Asia College of CUHK, The China Club, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Hongkong/Macao, and Mr. Gabriel Chi-Ming Yu (Chairman, Digital Heritage Publishing Limited), the ‘International Poetry Nights in Hong Kong’ aims to impart a sense of poetry to the busy life of the Hong Kong people, expand the vista of creativity and imagination in Hong Kong’s conventional education system, and contribute to the recognition of Hong Kong as an international metropolis.

The activities will be conducted multilingually. During the poetry recitations, English and Chinese versions of the poems will be projected on a screen for easy reference. A poetry collection including selected poems of the participating poets will also be published in English, Chinese and the original language. Poetry lovers of all nationalities are welcome to attend the activities by online registration at http://chinesestudies.cuhk.edu.hk/cuhk-portal/html/poetry2009/. Free admissions. Details of the activities are as follows:

Seminar on ‘The Other Voice’ (by invitation only)
Date: 26 November 2009 (Thursday)
Time: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Place: Conference Room, 2/F, Art Museum East Wing, Institute of Chinese Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Enquiry: Miss Lois Li (2696 1070; lois@cuhk.edu.hk)
Miss Esther Yip (2696 1088; estheryip@cuhk.edu.hk)

Opening Ceremony and Poetry Recitation
Date: 26 November 2009 (Thursday)
Time: 7:00 to 8:45 p.m.
Place: LT6, Teaching Complex at Western Campus The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Enquiry: Miss Lois Li (2696 1070; lois@cuhk.edu.hk)
Miss Esther Yip (2696 1088; estheryip@cuhk.edu.hk)

Music and Poetry Recitation
Date: 27 November 2009 (Friday)
Time: 7:00 to 8:45 p.m.
Place: Assembly Hall, Diocesan Boys’ School
Enquiry: Miss Mavis Lam (2768 5645; skitlam1110@gmail.com)

Recitation by Gary Snyder and ‘Snyder and Chinese Civilization’ Forum
Date: 28 November 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Place: LT3, YC Cheng Lecture Theatre 5/F, Cha Chi-ming Science Tower, Ho Sin Hang Campus Hong Kong Baptist University
Enquiry: International Writers Workshop, Hong Kong Baptist University (3411 2513; iwwevent@hkbu.edu.hk)

Hong Kong Poetry Night: Poetry Recitation in Cantonese
Date: 28 November 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 7:00 to 8:45 p.m.
Place: LT1, Esther Lee Building, Chung Chi College The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Enquiry: Miss Lois Li (2696 1070; lois@cuhk.edu.hk)
Miss Esther Yip (2696 1088; estheryip@cuhk.edu.hk)

Seminar on ‘Poetry and Translation’
Date: 29 November 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Place: Cho Yiu Conference Hall, University Administration Building The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Enquiry: Miss Lois Li (2696 1070; lois@cuhk.edu.hk)
Miss Esther Yip (2696 1088; estheryip@cuhk.edu.hk)

Closing Ceremony and Poetry Recitation
Date: 29 November 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 7:00 to 8:45 p.m.
Place: Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wanchai
Enquiry: Miss Lois Li (2696 1070; lois@cuhk.edu.hk)
Miss Esther Yip (2696 1088; estheryip@cuhk.edu.hk)

Website: http://chinesestudies.cuhk.edu.hk/cuhk-portal/html/poetry2009/