London - China inside out

What is the true story of contemporary Chinese literature? What role do poets and novelists play in representing their country to their fellow citizens, and to the outside world? And how accurate are the stories that we tell about China in the West? In a month when China is the Market Focus country at the London Book Fair, English PEN, the Reading Agency and Free Word host a fascinating day-long programme of debates, readings, film screenings and music which will aim to improve our understanding of the freedom to write, and the freedom to read, in China. Speakers include: Kaiser Abdurusul ÖzHun, Eric Abrahamsen, Flora Drew, Professor Harriet Evans, Ophelia Field, Nicky Harman, Jonathan Heawood, Isabel Hilton, Ma Jian, Li Jianhong, Xie Jingjing, Yang Lian, Julia Lovell, Ou Ning, Rebecca Swift, Diane Wei Liang, Chen Xiwo, Kerry Young, Ling Zhang, Deng Zhixin. 29 Mar 2012, 9:30am Free Word Lecture Theatre, 60 Farringdon Road?, London EC1R 3GA