A long overdue post

I should have blogged about it long ago, since the writers' festival was like in the beginning of this month, but yes, procrastination reigns again.

Anyway, the Singapore Writers' Festival was pretty awesome. I attended a reading in memory of Arthur Yap, a talk by Chang Jung, a poetry recital session by Bei Dao and a forum with Chang Jung and Wang Anyi. I intended to go for the talk by Wang Anyi on Sunday (9th Dec), but didn't get to, erm due to unforeseen circumstances.

The steering committee, or rather at least one person of the committee, seems to know the Chinese literature scene very well. The writers whom they invited are not just good or simply prominent - stellar would be a more appropriate word. When I saw the list I was like, "Oh my god I got to go for this, this, this and that!" Yes, so I really have to congratulate the organizing committee and National Arts Council for their selection.

However, I would really love to have an event totally dedicated to Boey Kim Cheng. He is one of my favourite local English poets. I heart his stuff. I only caught him in action during the reading to honour Arthur Yap - not enough!

Now it's time for photos - Bei Dao's poetry recital. He is one of my favourite poets, and I am using a translated line from his famous poem Answer (回答) as my signature in Sayoni forum.

I think the organizer did not expect such a huge turnout. The Blue Room turned out to be too small to hold the crowd, and many of us had to stand, or sit along the aisle.

Bei Dao read more than 20 poems that day.

I brought along my copy of Bei Dao's poetry for him to autograph after the session.

Receiving my autographed book from him like a little fangirl. :)

It was noteworthy that how he deliberately chose not to recite the poem Answer, as it is arguably his most famous and provocative poem. It condemns the suppression of the desire for freedom and democracy, with notably defiant and fiery lines.

I was a little disappointed that he did not recite that poem, but I can understand why he is doing this. Most writers do not like to be pigeonholed into a rigid category. For example, I might argue passionately for gay rights, or write about gay themed short stories, but I certainly do not wish to be labelled as a gay writer (or lesbian writer per se).

However, he recited that poem in the end, because one of the audience requested for it, and he obliged politely.

I shall post both the Chinese and translated English version here. I think the original Chinese version is better, but the English one will be helpful to readers who are not comfortable with reading Chinese. :)

《回答》——北岛

卑鄙是卑鄙者的通行证，
高尚是高尚者的墓志铭，
看吧，在那镀金的天空中，
飘满了死者弯曲的倒影。

冰川纪过去了，
为什么到处都是冰凌？
好望角发现了，
为什么死海里千帆相竞？

我来到这个世界上，
只带着纸、绳索和身影，
为了在审判前，
宣读那些被判决的声音。

告诉你吧，世界
我--不--相--信！
纵使你脚下有一千名挑战者，
那就把我算作第一千零一名。

我不相信天是蓝的，
我不相信雷的回声，
我不相信梦是假的，
我不相信死无报应。

如果海洋注定要决堤，
就让所有的苦水都注入我心中，
如果陆地注定要上升，
就让人类重新选择生存的峰顶。

新的转机和闪闪星斗，
正在缀满没有遮拦的天空。
那是五千年的象形文字，
那是未来人们凝视的眼睛。

The Answer - Bei Dao

Debasement is the password of the base,
Nobility the epitaph of the noble.
See how the gilded sky is covered
With the drifting twisted shadows of the dead.

The Ice Age is over now,
Why is there ice everywhere?
The Cape of Good Hope has been discovered, Why do a thousand sails contest the Dead Sea?

I came into this world
Bringing only paper, rope, a shadow,
To proclaim before the judgment
The voice that has been judged.

Let me tell you, world, I______do____not_____believe!
If a thousand challengers lie beneath your feet, Count me as number one thousand and one.
I don't believe the sky is blue:
I don't believe in thunder's echoes:
I don't believe that dreams are false:
I don't believe that death has no revenge.

If the sea is destined to breach the dikes
Let all the brackish water pour into my heart;
If the land is destined to rise
Let humanity choose a peak for existence again.

A new conjunction and glimmering stars
Adorn the unobstructed sky now:
They are the pictographs from five thousand years,
They are the watchful eyes of future generations.