Source: School of Foreign Languages
Written by: Jenny Lewis
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

The Sun Yat-sen University Center for English-language Creative Writing established its presence as a university-level entity with a ceremony on March 18, 2014. The event featured a reading and talk from New Zealand writer Emily Perkins, creative performances from students, faculty and community groups, and was attended by Sun Yat-sen University administration, the New Zealand Consulate-General, members of the Center, SYSU alumni, teachers and students.

The ceremony began with remarks from Professor Chen Chunsheng, Executive Deputy Secretary and Vice President of SYSU. Professor Chen’s remarks expressed admiration for the aims and future of the Center. Professor Chen was followed by New Zealand Consul-General Rebecca Needham, who spoke of the potential impact of creative writing on general education. Next, Professor Dai Fan, Director of the Center, gave a brief presentation on the immediate and long-term goals of the program, and was followed by an introduction to the Center’s Web site (www.creativewritingchina.com) by Center Co-Founder Rachelle Escamilla. Ms. Escamilla also served as emcee of the event, along with Center Co-Founder Jenny Lewis.

Then, in the event’s main feature, Emily Perkins took the stage. Her most recent book, The Forrests, was the focal point of her reading and discussion on the writing life, modes of fiction, and her career as a writer and teacher. Professor Perkins, who teaches at Victoria University International Institute of Modern Letters, then engaged budding writers in the audience in a lively question-and-answer session. Following Emily Perkins, the celebration turned to creative performance. First, three talented student readers — Zou Yuwei, Zheng Jinqiang, and Chen Xinyi — read from original creative work on topics ranging from how names are chosen, to marginalized communities, to the love a girl feels for her violin. Then, in the spirit of a Center project called “Go Beyond the Boundaries,” in which SYSU students are encouraged to push themselves creatively, Professor Dai Fan and two senior students, Huang Yang and Chen Zhiyong, performed an original skit entitled “Itchy.” Finally, a group of small children from Shenzhen Lenture Education Technology Co. Ltd., led by a former SYSU student, gave a charming performance in English of “Three Axes”.