Taiwanese writer Chen Sihong: Sincerity is key in literary creation; Taiwan should be more confident

(CNA, London, June 3, Special Dispatch) Chen Sihong, a Taiwanese writer based in Germany, gave his first talk in London on the evening of June 2. In an interview with CNA after the event, he said that Taiwanese literary works being recognized by the UK's prestigious International Booker Prize has been a huge encouragement for many creators in Taiwan, likening the effect to "drinking an energy drink."

Chen said Taiwan should be more confident. He described the award-winning author Yang Shuangzi and translator Jin Ling's demeanor at the International Booker Prize ceremony in London on May 19 as a "very impressive image of a young Taiwanese woman," showing firm confidence in their acceptance speech.

Chen noted that Yang Shuangzi has long been known for the "yuri" genre (derived from the Japanese term), which depicts romantic relationships between women. Her award-winning work "Taiwan Travelogue," which won the 2026 International Booker Prize, also contains yuri elements. Although yuri literature is often "looked down upon" by many in Taiwan, Chen said Yang Shuangzi has proven that her creations "can go this far."

Therefore, excellent literary works do not necessarily have to be grand, profound, or take a difficult and esoteric path of being "aloof from the world." Chen said creators should believe in their own passion and pursuit, "write what you want to write," and "don't need to please anyone."

He emphasized that, in fact, it is "sincerity" that most easily moves people. However, before being "sincere" to readers, creators must first be "sincere to themselves," and this is the most difficult part.

On the evening of June 2, invited by the UK's Queer East Festival, Chen held a talk at The Common Press, a well-known queer bookstore in East London. He had a conversation with British queer writer Adam Zmith, starting from his acclaimed novel "Ghost Town," published in Taiwan in 2019, and discussing Taiwan's "ghost" culture, the evolution of Taiwan's social and political landscape over decades, and attitudes towards gender diversity.

Despite windy and rainy weather in London and another subway strike that day, nearly 50 attendees packed the small bookstore, engaging enthusiastically with Chen, asking for autographs and photos. This was Chen's first talk and fan meeting in London.

"Ghost Town" has now been translated into 13 languages. Chen told CNA that this outcome was unexpected. He also revealed that two of his works, "The Three Sisters of Shetou" and "The Good Guys Upstairs," have confirmed Jin Ling as their English translator.

Translating Taiwanese literary works into foreign languages is a crucial condition for Taiwan's brilliant creations to be seen by more people internationally.

Chen told CNA that after South Korean author Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024, the international publishing world began to hear calls to "find the next Han Kang," and many believe that the next major international literary phenomenon "will be Taiwan."

However, Chen did not shy away from acknowledging that the international literary world's interest in Taiwan is, to some extent, related to international geopolitical factors.

Han Kang is the first South Korean writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, while Yang Shuangzi and Jin Ling are the first Taiwanese writer and translator, respectively, to win the International Booker Prize. According to the Booker Prize Foundation, "Taiwan Travelogue" is also the first literary work originally written in Chinese to win the International Booker Prize.

Chen said he very much looks forward to Taiwanese literary works frequently appearing on the shortlists and winners' lists of international literary awards, just like South Korean works.

To make this ideal easier to achieve, "we need to help more wonderful stories be seen by more people," he said. At the same time, Taiwan must recognize that it is competing on the same international stage with many brilliant authors and works from around the world.

Taiwan is no longer just, and cannot just be, "writing for itself," Chen said. "The world is watching Taiwan."

Chen Sihong's London talk at the Queer East Festival was supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK. (Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1150603