Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Written by: University Communication and Marketing

On the heels of International Writing Program (IWP) alumnus Mo Yan being named the winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature, the Life of Discovery (LOD) creative exchange project prepares to bring four of China’s top young writers to Chicago and Iowa City for a series of creative meetings and events in the four-year project’s final exchange.

In June 2012, four American writers, including Iowa City poet Dora Malech, traveled to China for the first leg of the exchange. Now four Chinese writers will complete the cycle with a reciprocal visit to Iowa City. The Chinese writers are Mao Juzhen, Zhang Yuntao, Sun Wei, and Liu Yewei, accompanied by Chinese Writers’ Association project coordinator Wu Xinwei.

Several free public events are scheduled in Iowa City to give the local community the opportunity to interact with the writers:

  • Friday, Oct. 26, 5-6 p.m.: Welcome reception and a reading by Zhang Yuntao and Mao Juzhen at Shambaugh House, 430 N. Clinton St.
  • Sunday, Oct 28, 4-5 p.m.: Sun Wei and Liu Yewei read with local poet Dora Malech at Prairie Lights Books.
  • Friday, Nov. 2, 5-7 p.m.: Chinese writers participate in an episode of WorldCanvass, “IWP: Writing the Stories of the World,” in the Senate Chamber of Old Capitol Museum (reception to follow).

While in Iowa City, the Chinese writers will also meet with UI students, participate in collaborative workshops and events with American writers, interact with writers from 30 countries currently in residence at the IWP, and enjoy a private screening of City of Literature with John Kenyon, director of the City of Literature.

Conceived in 2009 by the IWP in cooperation with the Chinese Writers' Association, the Life of Discovery exchange project puts writers and artists from People's Republic of China in direct contact with American writers with the goal of fostering creative collaboration and artistic and academic exchange. LOD is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and conducted in partnership with the Chinese Writers’ Association.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact the IWP in advance at 319-335-2817.