Chinese Literature Week 2017

The delegates declaring the opening of the ceremony

The “UTAR Chinese Literature Week 2017 (CLW2017) – The Beginning (第一届拉曼大学文学周“尹·始”)” was held at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Kampar Campus from 25 to 29 March 2017.

CLW2017 was organised by UTAR’s Chinese Studies Society, Kampar Campus (CSS) and supervised by the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS). It aimed to promote literary creation, improve the campus’s literary atmosphere and provide a valued platform for lovers of literature to share and exchange their thoughts. The five-day event successfully attracted more than 2,200 participants from within and outside the campus.

The guests and participants during the opening ceremony

Among the delegates were Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, ICS Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei representing Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, ICS Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wun Bin, Head of Department of Chinese Studies-cum-Advisor of CSS Toh Teong Chuan, Advisors of CLW2017 Dr Wong Lih Lih and Yau Ai Ping, Representative from Student Representative Council (SRC) Chang Mei Chee, and Organising Chairperson Jerry Yong Kian Fai.

In his welcoming remarks, Yong said, “Thank you for all the support and advice from ICS and Department of Student Affairs (DSA), as well as the cooperation and teamwork from our committee members and helpers which have helped us to make our First UTAR Chinese Literature Week a rousing success. We spent one year to prepare for the event and I wish this to bring unforgettable memories for all of us.”

Dr Chong revealed, “The success of organising the First UTAR Chinese Literature Week by CSS is a milestone for Chinese Studies in UTAR since its establishment in 2002. ‘The Beginning (尹·始)’ represents a starting point, and we hope that this extraordinary event will continue in future.” He added, “We hope CLW2017 will aid in the cultivation of the literary atmosphere and promotion of cultural activities in Kampar as it resonates with UTAR’s fundamental founding principle — for the people, by the people, to serve the community and country.”

Dr Lim said, “It is not easy for students to commit to their studies and co-curricular activities at the same time. However, getting involved in activities during your studies will help students to mature and gain irreplaceable memories for their efforts. Science, engineering and business may bring development to society, but the society will never be perfect in the absence of art and literature.”

Yong presenting a token appreciation to Dr Lim (left) and Dr Chong (right), while Yau looks on

Performance by UTAR Chinese Orchestra during the opening ceremony

The activities in CLW2017 included talks, film sharing, artistic concerts, exhibitions, workshops and a book fair. One of the highlights of CLW2017 was the UTAR National Varsity Chinese Writers Prize Awards Ceremony held on 26 March 2017.

Group photo of the winners, judges and guests

The winners are as below:

Modern Poetry category

Judge Award

“Magic Light (魔术光)” by Loy Mei Jun from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Honourable Mention

“No Negotiating with the God of Death (与死神无交涉)” by Teh Tian Jing from Xiamen University Malaysia Campus

“I Mailed You A Pack of Air from the Post Office (我自邮政局寄包空气给你)” by Lee Ting Xin from University of Malaya

Prose category

Judge Award

“Watching the Thunder and Listening to the Rain (观雷听雨)” by Lee Chee Yong from University of Malaya

Honourable Mention

“Fall from the Sky (陨落)” by Lim Pey Chen from SMK Batu Lintang, Kuching

“Whispering (呢喃)” by Pang Mei Jun from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Novel category

Judge Award

“The way to disappear (消失的方式)” by Khoo Wei Yang from SMJK Yu Hwa

Honourable Mention

“Smiling Angel (微笑的天使)” by Tam Hui Shin from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

“Promise (不变的蓝·约定)” by Soo Yee Jing from HELP University

During the five-day event, there were four talks conducted by prominent Malaysian Chinese writer Li Zi Shu, illustrators Chong Fei Giap and Kuik Yi Xuan, Guzheng musician Sara Heng and UTAR Assistant Lecturer Yoon Seck Hoe on Chinese literature, art and entrepreneurship, music and English writing.

Talk by prominent writer Li Zi Shu

There were four corners in the exhibition, namely Chinese Culture, Chinese Literature, Malaysian Chinese Literature and Students’ Works corner, which exhibited the finely crafted literary and artistic works by students.

The artistic representations of “Thunderstorm (雷雨)” and “The little red flower on the Wall (墙头上的小红花)” at the exhibition

The Chinese Culture corner displaying Chinese calligraphy, wood carvings and tea art

Dr Wong (left) and Yong presenting a token of appreciation to Prof Choong during the closing ceremony

Singing performance by the committee members

The end of CLW2017