The main forum and opening ceremony of the 11th Shanghai International Literary Week, part of the Shanghai Book Fair, took place in the China Securities Museum on the North Bund in Hongkou on August 13.
The event, organized by the Shanghai Press and Publication Bureau, the Shanghai Writers Association, and the Publicity Department of the CPC Hongkou District Committee, brought together some of the world's most celebrated writers and thinkers.
This year's main forum revolved around the theme "The Boundaries of Storytelling," featuring discussions led by prominent Fudan University scholars Bao Huiyi and Li Shuangzhi. The forum was split into two sessions, with each bringing together literary voices from across the globe.
Among the distinguished speakers were American poet Forrest Gander, French novelist Christian Garcin, Russian author Evgeny Vodolazkin, Japanese writers Kanae Minato and Mizuki Tsujimura, Spanish author Andrés Barba, Hungarian writer Attila Bartis and a host of prominent Chinese writers including Li Jingze and Qiu Huadong. In total, 26 speakers delivered thought-provoking speeches on the evolving landscape of storytelling.
Since its inception in 2011, the event marks the 11th Shanghai International Literary Week and the fifth consecutive year it has been hosted in Hongkou.
The event has become a vital platform for literary exchange, attracting nearly 300 writers and scholars from around the world, including Nobel laureates and winners of prestigious literary awards such as the Goncourt Prize, the Booker Prize, and the Pulitzer Prize.
Hongkou, known as a cradle of modern Chinese literature, was home to many literary giants in the early 20th century, and it played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary Chinese literature.
The district is also significant in China's modern cultural exchange, having been the site where historical figures like Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russell first set foot in China. Hosting the Shanghai International Literary Week in Hongkou underscores this rich legacy of literary and cultural exchange.
This year introduced the "Midsummer Literary Walk," where international writers and artists explored iconic cultural landmarks like the Waibaidu Bridge and the Shanghai Bund Art Museum, leaving a symbolic group photo at one of the best scenic spots along Hongkou’s "river and creek" area.
Additionally, capitalizing on the newly opened Heping Bookstore’s Children's Pavilion in Hongkou, the 2024 Shanghai International Literary Week also launched its first "International Children's Literature Week," adding a new dimension to the event.
The Shanghai International Literary Week continues through August 19, featuring 32 literary guests in over 50 events, including the "Poetry Night" at the World Reception Hall, literary dialogues, and book signings at various venues across the city. These events will be live-streamed, allowing literary enthusiasts around the world to join the experience virtually.