The Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office (TRO) in Germany has invited Taiwanese writer Kevin Chen (陳思宏), author of the renowned novel “Ghost Town (鬼地方)” to a series of Taiwanese literary salons in Germany starting Mar. 29.
Having lived in Berlin for over 20 years, Kevin Chen documented his keen observations of the German city’s people and culture in “Rebellious Berlin (叛逆柏林)” and “Berlin Rebels (柏林繼續叛逆),” which serve as cultural guides for Taiwanese readers. His novel “Ghost Town,” now translated in German, was released by the independent German publishing house Matthes & Seitz on Mar. 20.
Chen will attend the Leipzig Book Fair before presenting his new book at the Buchhandlung ocelot, a popular bookstore in Berlin. He will then embark on a tour in other cities, including Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf.
Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉), Taiwan Representative to Germany, described the publication of “Ghost Town” in German as a significant achievement for the author. To mark the occasion, the TRO in Germany will host a seminar on Apr. 4, providing an opportunity for the author to engage with German readers.
Additionally, several other Taiwanese authors—Wu Huai-chen (吳懷晨), Hu Chang-sung (胡長松), Now Now (小峱峱), and Li Kotomi (李琴峰)—are invited to host seminars in Berlin this year, showcasing the diversity of Taiwanese literature.