The Taipei Poetry Festival presents a series of talks featuring foreign guest poets to read their poems for the purpose of pure literary exchange. Meanwhile, by presenting poets and speakers from diverse backgrounds and with distinctive artistic qualities, the talks attempt to delve into broader cultural aspects to attract a wider audience with varied interests. 

To Conquer the Sea with the Sword of Disease
Sunday, Oct 05, 19:00 @ 2F, Kishu An Forest of Literature

Augusto Rodríguez, director of Guayaquil Ileana Espinel Cedeño Poetry Festival, is an active advocate for international exchanges focusing on Ecuadorian poets and is known for his bold, piercing poetic language. The talk brings together poets from different generations and with international insights to foster a multi-layered conversation on poetry and culture.   

To Hear the Birds
Tuesday, Oct 07, 19:30 @ 2F, Taipei Info Hub

Palestinians are destined to exile – whether on foreign soil or their own homeland. Marwan Makhoul transforms the absurdity and sorrow encountered in one’s own land into poetry. How can we hear the birds when warplanes strike? The poignant question will be explored in a conversation with Taiwanese poets Cheng Wan-Jung and Liu Che-Ting.

The Soul Behind A City
Friday, Oct 10, 19:30 @ 2F, Multipurpose Hall, SPOT-Taipei

Stuart LAU Wai-shing’s poetry stays close to Hong Kong’s landscape and era while it offers a breathing space to calm one’s heart in a time of turbulence. He will be joined by poets from both Hong Kong and Taiwan to discuss the historical shifts and cultural scenes of the two cities.

The Freedom in Playful Language
Satursday, Oct 11, 19:30 @ 2F, Fembooks
 
Toshiko Hirata’s poetic language penetrates cruel reality with childlike playfulness, delivering sharp and piercing criticism of society. With the poets Saoxia and Yang Jia-Xian as our “pilots,” the talk explores the unique charm of her poetry.