Taiwanese novelist Yang Shuang-zi to embark on India speaking tour

Taipei, Oct. 20 (CNA) Taiwanese novelist Yang Shuang-zi (楊双子) will give three talks in India in November, including one at the influential Mumbai LitFest, under the theme "Taiwan-India Literary Dialogue: The Indian Journey of Taiwanese Literature," the Ministry of Culture (MOC) said.

Yang and translator Lin King (金翎) won the U.S. National Book Award for Translated Literature with Yang's novel "Taiwan Travelogue" (台灣漫遊錄) in November 2024, becoming the first Taiwanese national to receive the prestigious prize.

In Delhi, Yang will engage in conversations with Indian architect and cultural critic Moulshri Joshi and translator Arunava Sinha, to discuss topics ranging from food culture to national identity and literary translation, MOC said in a press release.

Kicking off the series, the talk with Moulshri Joshi, a member of MOC's Southeast Asia Advisory Committee, will be held at Kathika Cultural Centre & Museum on Nov. 5, and will feature Taiwanese snacks to give participants a memorable cultural experience.

Yang's conversation with Sinha will take place at the Bookshop Inc on Nov. 6.

One of South Asia's most prominent literary translators, Sinha has translated over 80 works, primarily between Bengali and English, bridging major literary traditions.

Yang is set to give a third talk at the Mumbai LitFest on Nov. 9 with celebrated Indian novelist Shubhangi Swarup under the theme "When a Woman Writes."

At the event, Yang will share how a young girl's coming-of-age experiences shape her reading, writing, and research, according to the festival's website.

"Questioning the dominant ideas of history and relationships through her works, the conversation explores her creative journey from Yang Ruo-ci (楊若慈, Yang's real name) to her nom de plume, Yang Shuang-zi," the website says.

Yang's works, blending historical memory, female narratives, and imaginative storytelling, showcase the multifaceted charm of Taiwanese literature, and her scheduled appearances mark an important milestone for Taiwanese literature's reach into South Asia, MOC said.

The Mumbai LitFest, known for its intellectual depth and social engagement, is one of the most renowned literary festivals in South Asia, according to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India's Cultural Division, which co-organized the talks.