Friday 5 March

OPENING NIGHT In Celebration of Literature and Poetry: Benjamin Zephaniah’s Solo Show
7:30pm

Emerging from the rhythms of Jamaican street and punk politics, Benjamin Zephaniah’s work changed the face of British poetry. Fusing rap, slang, powerful imagery and slammin’ beats, his performances are never the same, and always unmistakably Benjamin Zephaniah. Seize this one off opportunity to hear him perform, solo, live, especially for festival audiences

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Saturday 6 March

Toasted and Slammed: The Bookworm’s very own Poetry Slam
10am

Bring your own verse and your own verve, surprise yourself and wow the crowds, or just humbly check in rhymes and scats, how far the sound of your voice takes you. Students of English or high school drop outs, new to Slams or poetry champion, this is your chance to shine and recite your own words in music and in public, for an evening of poetry and songs. All Welcome!!!

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
FREE

Sunday 7 March

Permanently Temporary: Tess Johnston’s Extraordinary Life in the US Foreign Service
3pm

Tess Johnston first came to Shanghai in 1981 to work at the American Consulate General and in 1996. After over thirty years in the diplomatic service, she decided to stay on to research, write, and lecture. She has published fifteen books, in collaboration with Shanghai photographer Erh Dongqiang, including ten volumes on Western architecture and the expatriate experience in old China. In “Permanently Temporary”, she gives an account of her extraordinary life from Berlin to Shanghai through Vietnam and South Asia over fifty years. She appears as part of the Bookworm International Literary Festival, exclusively for Suzhou audiences.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Monday 8 March

Modern Literature and the Power of Words: David Grossman and Junot Diaz
7:30pm

Tonight's talk takes us on the trail of two militant writers whose ideas have reached far into the reality of human experiences. Exploring the themes of literary fiction, media reporting, and the immigrant experience in a world in constant change, David Grossman and Junot Diaz bring their exceptional experience together for a fascinating insight into engaged literature. Do not miss these two giants of modern world literature in what promises to be the ultimate highlight of the 2010 Bookworm International Literary Festival.
This event is brought to you by QSI Suzhou

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Tuesday 9 March

Notes on a Scandal: Discussion and Screening with Zoe Heller
7pm

Zoe Heller’s disturbing and seductive novel Notes on a Scandal was brought artfully to the screen in 2006, and featured Oscar nominated performances from Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. This evening, Zoe discusses the fascinating process of having her best-selling novel adapted to a screenplay, and the impact both book and film have had on her subsequent work. Followed by film screening at 8.30pm

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Wednesday 10 March

Brains are wild places! - Ken Spillman
2pm

One of Australia’s most versatile and prolific authors, Ken Spillman has been writing for publication since his schooldays, and is now the author of more than twenty books spanning many genres. Drawing upon his long interest in the nature of creativity, Ken today talks to younger children with a simple and inspiring message addressing the question raised by Pablo Picasso’s statement: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist.” Ken shows in simple and luminous words how storytelling is part of our nature as human beings, and creative thinking a key to individual success and wellbeing. Good for all ages and for the child in us too…

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Love is a UFO - Ken Spillman
4pm

“If there were just one reason why writers should be treasured, it is that they can articulate the inarticulate. That’s exactly what Spillman does in this funny, sad, sharp and warm book… If you have a young teen in your house, buy this book.” said the Sunday Times Magazine review of Ken Spillman’s heart warming tale of coming of age in “Love is a UFO”. Ken Spillman talks to teenagers about the difficult journey to adulthood through grief, angst but also gaining confidence and finding love. A cracker for our younger readers.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Thursday 11 March

Literary Perspectives on History: Amitav Ghosh
7:30pm

Come hear one of modern literature’s master story teller who in flowery language and palpitating narratives revisits the dark corners of History. Amitav Ghosh is one of India’s leading literary lights, whose epic fictions have conjured tales of India, Epire and beyond for scores of readers around the world. Tonight, in a special session, he shares tales of the writing life and gives us a peek into the challenges of making History come to life, and fiction catch up with reality.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Friday 12 March

Words in a Visual Age: RATTAPALLAX
7pm

Filmmaker and editor of the unique quarterly DVD magazine RATTAPALLAX, Ram Devineni reveals the ins and outs of fusing words and images, keeping the written word relevant in a world of constant communication and shattered concentration spans. With Cecilia Trip. Followed by screenings of films by Abbas Kiarostami, Sherman Alexie, Paul Bowles and William S. Burroughs, and discussion. Specially curated for The Bookworm International Literary Festival 2010.

The Bookworm Shi Quan Jie
30 RMB

Saturday 13 March

Committing Journalism: How real is the Story?
7:30 pm

Foreign media coverage of China plays a key role in how the nation is perceived internationally. But how accurately does such coverage reflect China’s reality? And what are the challenges facing foreign journalists as they attempt to cover such a huge and rapidly changing subject? Experienced Shanghai-based correspondents Scott Tong (Marketplace, National Public Radio) and Ola Wong (Sydsvenska Dagbladet) join Newsweek journalist and author Duncan Hewitt to discuss these and other aspects of journalism in China.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Sunday 14 March

Workers Poems: A Reading and Discussion with Chinese Poet Xu Qiang
2:30pm

A native of Sichuan, Xu Qiang is a child of the Chinese economic miracle: degree in Economics, Shenzhen in the ‘90s, a career in HR. In one China’s perennial surprise stories, Xu also happens to be a renowned poet whose works have appeared in dozens of publications nationwide. He recites today some of his dearest pieces, and shares in discussion his perception of Worker’s Poetry in contemporary China.
Readings in Chinese, with consecutive English translation.

The Bookworm Ping Jiang Lu
30 RMB

The Beijing of Possibilities: Jonathan Tel
4pm

A journalist and writer, Jonathan Tel commutes regularly between Beijing and New York. If he is to be believed, Beijing is a city where gorilla-suited telegram operators, trans-century romances and objects endowed with mystical powers are all to be embraced as part of the daily fabric of existence. Full of wit and imagination, Jonathan’s talk takes us this afternoon on a journey through dreams to inhabit about the places we live in. Come and join the ride…

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Monday 15 March

Slam Poetry - An Initiation by Steve Connell
3pm

Simply put, poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry, putting emphasis on both writing and performance. No competition today, but didactic talks and laughs as Steve awakens the poet in youngsters, encouraging aspiring poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it.

The Bookworm Shi Quan Jie
30 RMB

Churchill and Australian Anxieties - Graham Freudenberg
7:30pm

A distinguished speaker, author and political adviser, Graham Freudenberg has spent a life in the service of eminent politicians and Prime Ministers in Australia. In his latest book Churchill and Australia, he addresses the impact of Winston Churchill on Australia's foreign policies, and his influence on Australia's relations with Britain, Japan and the United States over six decades.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Solo Slam Poetry Performance Show: Steve Connell
9pm

Steve Connell’s performances are the definition of energetic. A dynamic, fluid, high-octane and utterly unique blend, Steve gives it all up and more when he gets to the stage, with a passion for words, scats and rhymes that jumps out to the audience. Whether you have heard or not of the spoken Art of Poetry Slams, do not miss this opportunity to see literature at its finest, from the man who holds a hat-trick of awards at the US National Slam Championships.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Tuesday 16 March

China between the Wars - Jonathan Fenby and Paul French
7:30pm

Patriotic warlords, big eared gangsters and all night dancing: these were the days when, through times of uncertainty, China went through one of the most mysterious stages of its amazing 20th century history. Join the party as two highly knowledgeable scholars hark back in jocular conversation to pre-PRC times in the heady days of 1930s China.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Music of the Land: Scott Ezell
9pm

After studying Chinese and comparative Literature, Scott Ezell travelled years across China and Asia, living with local aboriginal communities and making the road his way of life. His latest work Petroglyph Americana is a book-length poem about the landscapes and communities of the American West, with resonances and reflections from Asian cultures. An eclectic artist and traveler - do not miss Scott’s performance tonight at The Bookworm as he tells in words, pictures and sounds of his wandering experiences across continents.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

Wednesday 17 March

Poems for Everyone. Conversation and Readings by Scott Ezell and Liz Niven
7pm

Poets Liz Niven and Scott Ezell, both writers with broad international experience and with their feet in many different cultures and continents, read selections of their work chosen to explore the theme of ‘Home’.

The Bookworm Shiquan Jie
30 RMB

THE BOOKWORM SPECIAL St PATRICK’S QUIZ!
8pm

Festival goers or beer drinker, quiz geek or newcomer, do not miss tonight’s special Bookworm St Patrick’s quiz, with awesome quizmaster Jules and a ½ price Guinness for all participants! Entrance is free and prizes are on offer. All you need to enter is a team of up to 9 participants, a catchy team name and be willing to heckle the quizmaster!!!

The Bookworm Shi Quan Jie
30 RMB

Thursday 18 March

Creative Writing – Liz Niven
10 am

Scottish poet Liz Niven has held writing fellowships throughout Scotland. She works with hundreds of pupils every year, inspiring them to write their own poetry. This afternoon she shows a young Suzhou audience the marvels of creative writing, and seeks out their blooming inspiration for engaged responses. Open to all ages.

The Bookworm Shi Quan Jie
30 RMB

The Monkey and The Dragon: Linda Jaivin
7:30pm

A famous Australian writer whose several international bestsellers have been translated into nine languages, Linda Jaivin is a specialist on Chinese contemporary culture. She has written numerous works of short fiction, essays and journalism. Tonight, she introduces her latest book The Monkey and the Dragon: A True Story about Friendship, Music, Politics and Life on the Edge, the strange tale of Taiwanese songwriter, defector and dissident Hou Dejian, now a Fengshui master. With exceptional access to his contact and archive files, Linda’s talk promises secret revelations and extraordinary confidences.

The Bookworm Shi Quan Jie
30 RMB

Friday 19 March

Country Driving - Peter Hessler
7:30pm

The acclaimed author of Two Years on the Yangtze, River Town and Oracle Bones, Peter Hessler is one of today’s most popular commentators on contemporary China, as well as an outstanding writer. Catch him in Suzhou this year, in exclusivity for the China Bookworm Literary Festival, presenting his latest work Country Driving, and sharing his passion for the Middle Kingdom.

The Bookworm Shi Quan Jie
30 RMB