WenYing Zhu

Zhu, WenYing is a writer who was born in Shanghai, China, but since 1978 she has lived and worked in Suzhou. Since 1997, she has published several novels including: Aunt Lily’s Small South; Madam Dai and Blue; High Heels; and Watery Marriage; and many novellas including: Prosperity; A Floating Life; Double Pupils; Havana; Staring at Marina; Intoxicated Spring Night;and many essays. Some of her works have been translated into English, French, Japanese, Russian, German, and Korean. In China, she has been awarded many different literature prizes. Her works are unique amongst her peers and have been praised by Chinese critics as “regaining new extensions on the splendid, ancient, and delicate cultural atmosphere of South China.”

Alongside her literature work, she has also been involved in the fields of art curatorship and criticism in recent years. She has participated in various International literary festivals and International literary exchanges. In China, she is now one of the organizers of International literary festivals including: The First Chinese Young Writers Visiting Program 2018; The Bookworm International Literary Festival (BLF, Independent Literary Festival, one of the founders of the World’s Eight Great Literary Festival Alliances), and, has been organizing and participating in book-talks, group-discussions, workshops and other activities involving writers of non-fiction, poetry, film, drama, journalism, history, art and the environment. She is the only Chinese writer who participated in the China-Europe International Literary Festival for two years (the China-Europe International Literary Festival was launched by the EU Delegation in China and held by the Bookworm Bookstore. The first session was held in November 2017, in Chengdu, and Beijing. The second session was in May 2018, in Suzhou, and Shanghai. The third session in November 2018, took place in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. (This two-year cultural project aims to promote exchanges between China and Europe).

She continues to explore the literary world and literary cross-cultural exchange activities. She hopes to open up more International literary exchange between the countries of the world and foster a greater understanding of both local and global cultural spheres.