The 2020 Taiwan Literature Festival in Tokyo opened on Oct. 7, casting light on works from Yang Mu (楊牧) and Lo Fu (洛夫) – two late towering figures who have profound impact on Taiwan's literary scene. The annual event for the promotion of Taiwanese literature has previously focused on novels and essays. This year the two–month event is showcasing works of Taiwanese poets and writers.
Organized by the Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo, the poetry-centered event displays the reprints of the two wordsmiths' handwritten manuscripts and the previous editions of their literary works. Japanese readers will also be able to enjoy a collection introducing Taiwanese poems at the center and the Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi – Taiwanese bookstore chain Eslite Spectrum Corporation's first outlet in Japan.
Yang, a prominent figure in Taiwanese literature who left behind a significant body of poems, proses, and critiques. Lo, meanwhile, is considered one of the most widely read contemporary poets on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
To foster a greater understanding and appreciation of Yang and Lo, the center will hold both in-theater and online premiere of Japanese-subtitled documentaries that respectively introduce the life and literary contributions of the two eminent writers.
Named "Yang Mu - Towards the Completion of a Poem" and "Lo Fu - River without Banks," the two films are part of "The Inspired Island," a well-acclaimed documentary series on Taiwan's literary landscape.
Following the launch of the Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi in Sept. 2019, Taiwan's culture has enjoyed a greater popularity in Japan, while publishers in Taiwan have also seen growing demands from the Northeast Asian country for Mandarin-written books.
Riding on this trend, the center teamed up with the Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi to launch an in-store book section called "Taiwan's perspective," highlighting one celebrated writer from the nation each season.
Wu Ming-yi (吳明益), an award-winning author whose works have met with an enthusiastic welcome in Japan, will be the focus of this season, starting from October.
The festival will take place at the center and the Tokyo-based store, with the former from Oct. 7 to 30 and the later from Oct. 7 to Nov. 15. Visit here for more information.
Launched in 2019, the Taiwan Literature Festival in Japan aims to showcase Taiwan's rich literary heritage and share the works of outstanding Taiwanese writers with Japanese readers.