Indigenous Tao writer Syaman Rapongan (夏曼・藍波安) will hold meet-and-greet sessions in France to promote his French-translated fiction "Mata nu Wawa (Eye of the Sea)" from Sep. 27 through Oct. 1.
"Mata nu Wawa" is an autobiographical novel by Syaman Rapongan, who wrote the book as a reflection of his youth. The conflicting value of being a part of "Ponso No Tao" (meaning “Island of the people" in Tao language) and a citizen of a nation provides readers with a different view of Taiwan from the indigenous peoples’ perspective. "Mata nu Wawa" is a work that gave rise to the genre "ocean literature" and is of great significance in literature, anthropology, and history.
The first meet-and-greet session will be held on Sep. 27 at the French publishing house L'Asiatheque; and the second session will be held on Sep. 29 at La Géolibri, a bookstore in Bordeaux.
At the invitation of The French Research Institute on East Asia (IFRAE), Syaman Rapongan will also participate in two seminars at the Bordeaux Montaigne University and the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) on Sep. 30 and Oct. 1, respectively.
Syaman Rapongan is a writer from the indigenous Tao tribe on Orchid Island of Taiwan. His writings revolve around the theme of Tao myths and legends and about his life and mental state when living in Taiwan and Orchid Island, reflecting the writer's reality. He likes to define himself as an ocean writer after he returned to Orchid Island from the hustle life and rediscovered his cultural identity while making connections with the ocean. Over the years, he has received many major literary awards such as Wu Zhuo-liu Literary Award, China Times Literary Award, Wu Luqin's prose Award, Chiu Ko Fiction Prize, and more.