Chinese Poet Bei Dao to Read a Collection of His Works at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Chinese poet Bei Dao will read a selection of his poems Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in 205 Smith Hall at The University of Alabama.

Bei Dao will read his poetry in Chinese and Robin Behn, a professor in the English department in UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, will read the English translation. Bei Dao will be available at 4 p.m. in the Gorgas Library reception area on the second floor for an informal meeting with UA students.

Considered the most influential of the Chinese “Misty Poets,” Bei Dao has published five volumes of poetry in English – “Unlock,” “Landscape Over Zero,” “Forms of Distance,” “Old Snow” and “The August Sleepwalker” – as well as a collection of short stories, “Waves,” and a collection of essays, “Blue Horse.” His work has been translated into 30 languages.

In 1978 he founded the underground literary journal, Jingtian (Today), the first non-government sponsored and pro-democracy journal in China since 1949.

Bei Dao has lived in exile since the 1989 revolt in Tiananmen Square. Since 1987, Bei Dao has lived and taught in England, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, France and the United States. Today, he is an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts.

The reading, which is open to the public, is sponsored by University Libraries, Capstone International Center, International Education Committee, New College, International Honors Program and the Office of Academic Affairs.