Stories about Literature
With the death of Pema Tseden, Tibetan cinema just lost its most iconic director
Contemporary Tibetan cinema just lost its most famous and avant-garde film director, Pema Tseden, who specialized in portraying the clash of Chinese modernity and traditional Tibetan society.
Prolific Jamaican writer Kwame McPherson wins the 2023 Commonwealth Short Story regional prize for the Caribbean
Judges hailed McPherson's submission, "Ocoee," as “a memorial to the enduring nature of the human spirit."
Why does Trinidad & Tobago tax books?
"[T]he finance minister described the tax regime as fiscal policy, not social policy, but that’s merely a mirage. All taxation reflects an assessment of social needs and priorities..."
Brian Samuel’s extraordinary story of a nomadic Caribbean family and the father who held it together
In Caribbean families, fractures may appear due to migration, instability, and the search for a better life. A new book by a Grenadian author takes us along on the journey.
‘Overseas Chinese writer is now a label’: Interview with youth author Xia Zhou
Overseas Sinophone writers tend to continue writing in Chinese no matter what, according to young Chinese author Xia Zhou who now lives in the US.
The reasons behind the myth of Cantonese as a more authentic Chinese language
Claims that local languages, including Sichuanese and Cantonese, only lost one vote to Mandarin to become China’s “national language” have kept popping up on the internet from time to time.
The shortlist of Bocas Lit Fest's 2022 literary prize are all works from Trinidad & Tobago writers
The list is made up of the category winners of three different writing genres: poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.
‘I will not write about this war,’ says acclaimed Ukrainian writer-turned soldier
I’m not sure how long it will take to make sense of all that has taken root deep inside us during the long months of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
Jamaican cultural commentator uses Twitter to draw attention to outstanding Caribbean accomplishments
Jamaican Twitter user and cultural commentator Wayne Chen often posts interesting tidbits about Caribbean personalities and pioneers on the social media platform.
One-hundred years later: Reflections on Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani's centenary
On the day making Nizar Qabbani's birthday we need to acknowledge that despite differing critical opinions on his poetry, his enduring popularity a quarter century after his passing is indisputable.
Seven-year-old Coryn Anaya Clarke, a self-published author from Trinidad & Tobago, wants kids to know the joy of reading
Can a seven-year-old encourage other children to read by writing and publishing her own stories? This young Trinidadian author is certainly trying.
Meet Jamaica’s inaugural Literacy Heroes
The Book Industry Association of Jamaica's inaugural Literacy Hero Award honours people who promote literacy and reading as tools for change, development, inclusive prosperity, and cultural preservation.
First victims of anti-LGBTQ+ law in Russia are trans persons and books
Openly trans Tiktokers, a publishing house, movies and TV shows feel the weight of the Russian anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda law.
Professor Gordon Rohlehr, the ‘finest mind regarding calypso,’ dies at age 80 in Trinidad
Rohlehr's dedicated much of his life to to researching and writing about the significance of Caribbean culture — particularly calypso — as well as its literature, oral tradition, and cricket.
‘This Arab Life': A personal excavation of the ‘silent’ Arab generation
In an interview, author Amal Ghandour discusses her latest book, This Arab Life, and provides a rich and illuminating examination of the Middle East's dynamic past and present.
Bollywood’s ‘Faraaz’ raises questions about trauma exploitation in art
The upcoming Bollywood thriller “Faraaz” sparked controversy in Bangladesh and a legal battle in India because of the incorrect portrayal of the key characters and the victims’ right to privacy.
Anthony Joseph is the second Trinidadian in three years to win the T.S. Eliot prize for poetry
The judges of the prestigious prize called Joseph's collection "luminous," adding that it "celebrates humanity in all its contradictions and breathes new life into this enduring form."
2022 was a bittersweet year for European comics
European comics creators and fans experienced some particular wins and losses during 2022. Some of them are presented in this non extensive listicle.
Can a literary festival bring Nepali literature to the international stage?
The 10th edition of the Nepal Literature Festival, Nepal’s only international literary festival, brought together local and international writers and prompted discussions on literature, culture, poetry, music and many more topics.
France's institutional fear of multilingualism: An interview with language activist Michel Feltin-Palas
France has always been a multilingual country, but central state institutions are reluctant to embrace this historical and cultural heritage, explains French journalist and language diversity activist Michel Feltin-Palas.
‘The Balkans are Europe's Latin America in many beautiful ways,’ says Albanian writer
Cultural mediators between the Balkans and the Hispanic worlds are scarce. Elvi Sidheri is one of them. As an Albanian author and translator, he has traveled across countries and literary fields.