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Renowned Chinese writer, Mr. Yan Lianke(閻連科), was invited to give a workshop and two seminars in Freshman College East (FCE)/ Cheng Yu Tung College from 29th November to 1st December.
Mr. Yan held a workshop with 15 FCE student writers in the afternoon of 30th, tutoring students’ writing skills and encouraging them to use their imagination to make improbable stories become probable and meaningful. He referred many famous world literature pieces to demonstrate how immensely can change and contribute to the civilization. For instance, Mr. Yan took Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” as an example to show how Kafka used “non- causality” by means of a metaphor that a man was transformed into a giant beetle-like insect, becoming an object of disgrace to his family, an outsider in his own home, a quintessentially alienated man. The Metamorphosis has taken its place as one of the most widely read and influential works of twentieth-century fiction.
In the first seminar on How I began to write, Mr.Yan shared his life and writing experiences. He mentioned that writing should involve “one’s emotion” as the core of the writing since a good writer should take care of every character. Mr. Yan encouraged students to begin writing by imitating and everyone should read as much as he can. “The more we read, the better we write. Even if we could not be a writer, we should try our best be a good reader”, said by Mr.Yan. At the end of the seminar, students took photos with Mr.Yan and asked him to sign. The students learned and enjoyed this seminar a lot.
In the second seminar on “Social Concern and Responsibility”, Mr. Yan shared his own experience on his field investigation and support over the years for an ‘AIDS villages’ in Henan Province. Participants were deeply moved by his simple but powerful words. After the seminar, Mr. Yan answered students’ questions patiently. In addition, he shared his points od view on current situation of Chinese literature, education and society.
Mr. Yan’s three-day visit was the third of the “Freshman College（East）/ Cheng Yu Tung College Outstanding Series” hosted by College Master, Prof. Chung and Associate Master Dr. Zhen. About 80 students participated and learned from these events.
Mr.Yan graduated from Politics and Education Department, Henan University in 1985. In 1991, he graduated from Fine Arts College of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army with a degree in Literature. Over the last 30 years, he has published many works of novels, novellas, short stories, essays and criticisms. Mr.Yan’s Days, Months, Years received Luxun Award in 2000. His Living received Lao She Award in 2005 and his Dream of Ding Village received Yazhou Zhoukan (Asiaweek)’s Best 10 Novels in the same year.His other important novels include Daylight and Flowing Year, The Last Young Female Intellectual, Solid as Water, Folk Songs, Elegant Numbers and Odes and Four Classics.
