Asian LitChat: Identity, Heritage & Belonging
About our Asian LitChats
Our Asian LitChat meetups are inviting and spacious opportunities for some deeper, reflective conversations about Asian literature. Every Asian LitChat carries a different theme that we explore together. For some these meetups are an encouragement to read more books specific to the theme, for others it's simply a great occasion to discuss books that they've already read and that suit the theme.
Let's chat about Identity, Heritage & Belonging in Asian Literature!
This time we delve into the intricacies of Identity, Heritage & Belonging within Asian literature. Across countries, generations and cultures, authors from Asian background have always been writing stories where what it means to belong – to a family, a community, a country, a culture, and sometimes to several worlds at once – plays an important role.
What happens during this Asian LitChit
Every participant brings 1 to 3 literary Asian Books that suit the theme. Choose those books you have something to share about with other book club members.
We spilt up in smaller groups, in which each gets to talk about at least one of the books they bring (more if time allows). What you talk about from or around that book is totally up to you. Others can ask questions about that book and possibly chime in with their own experiences with the book.
We use these sharings as a foundation to move into sharing around broader, deeper reflections on Identity, Heritage & Belonging in Asian stories.
All reflections, insights, perspectives, and opinions are valuable. All experiences with the theme are welcomed!
Our (flexible) program:
15:00-15:30 Ordering drinks & treats and Introduction
15:30-16:30 Asian LitChat: Identity, Heritage & Belonging
16:30-17:00 Wrap-Up with all subgroups/participants
About the Asian Book Club Helsinki
We are an open, diverse community of (aspiring) readers & lovers of Asian literature. In our book club we read and discuss:
books by authors from an Asian background – including diaspora authors
from all 5 Asian regions – East, Southeast, South, West, Central
contemporary literary fiction (novels, short stories, novellas, biographical fiction) and memoirs
Please follow the Asian Book Club Helsinki on Instagram!
Support Asian entrepreneurs
All Asian Book Club Helsinki meetups are free of charge. But we ask you to support our lovely (Asian) entrepreneurs of the venue by ordering drinks & treats/food from their cafe menu.
NOTE: If you can't make it to our meetup, please cancel your registration to free up space for people on the waitlist.
A fee will apply for:
late cancellations (on the day of the meetup): €5
no-shows: €10.