The Hongkou District Writers’ Association held its first council's second meeting and inaugurated the “Writers’ Home” workstations in a ceremony attended by prominent literary figures and district officials.
Ma Wenyun, Party Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Writers’ Association, and Wu Qiang, Head of the Publicity Department, were present at the event.
Liu Wei, a member of the China Writers’ Association, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Writers’ Association, President of the Shanghai Online Writers’ Association, and Chairman of the Hongkou District Writers’ Association, delivered a report at the meeting. He conveyed the key messages from the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles’ Ninth Congress and the Eleventh Congress of the Shanghai Writers’ Association.
In 2024, the Hongkou District Writers’ Association made significant progress in organizational development, literary creation, and cultural activities. Notable achievements included the formal establishment of the association as a representative literary body and the recruitment of emerging literary talents.
The association launched North Bund Literature, a literary magazine that has become a vital platform for showcasing regional culture.
Additionally, the association initiated the publication of the anthology “Meet Hongkou,” which documents the district's historical and cultural transformations.
Throughout the year, the association organized nine major cultural events, including a nationwide online writers’ field tour, International Literature Week, and reading promotion campaigns, drawing participation from over 10,000 residents.
The “Renowned Writers Interview” series also attracted an impressive online audience of 370,000, fostering deeper engagement between the literary community and the public.
Looking ahead to 2025, the association will further integrate literature into urban development under the “Three Cultural Landmarks” initiative.
Efforts will focus on nurturing literary talent, fostering high-quality literary works, and creating influential cultural brands.
The “Writers’ Home” workstations will play a crucial role in providing a collaborative space for authors and facilitating cross-disciplinary cooperation with the technology and education sectors.
The association said it aims to make the ‘Writers’ Home’ workstations a welcoming space for writers, encouraging creative exchanges and boosting their sense of belonging.
The stations will regularly host literary salons, writing workshops, and critique sessions. Additionally, they will offer accommodations and logistical support for visiting writers from other provinces and abroad.
At the event, plaques were awarded to the first seven “Writers’ Home” workstations. These stations will serve as vibrant cultural hubs, enriching the district's literary landscape and enhancing its reputation as a center of creative exchange.
By expanding its initiatives and fostering literary innovation, the Hongkou District Writers’ Association is set to contribute to the district’s high-quality development, improved living standards, and efficient governance. Writers and cultural practitioners are encouraged to participate, contributing their voices to the evolving narrative of Hongkou.
The commitment to cultural growth highlights Hongkou’s vision of becoming a leading literary and artistic hub, promoting cultural exchange and creative expression on both a local and international scale.