Renowned Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa is set to grace this year’s Taipei Poetry Festival, which will kick off a series of poetry events around the city beginning Oct. 18th.

The 82-year-old poet and translator, one of the most widely-read poets in Japan, will give talks and field questions from audience members in addition to attending the festival’s screening of a documentary film about his life.

Tanikawa has published over 70 books of poetry. His book “Floating the River in Melancholy” won the American Book Awards in 1989.

Six other poets from around the world will speak at the festival as well: Ukraine’s Oksana Lutsyshyna, the United Kingdom’s Joe Dunthorne, China’s Tian Yuan and Yao Feng, and Hong Kong’s Chan Chi-tak and Chan Lai-kuen.

The festival will also include recitals and performances, including one that combines poetry recital, drama, dance and music.

This year’s festival, titled “Labor for Ideal,” will run through Nov. 2nd at various venues around Taipei.

 

image via Taipei Poetry Festival Facebook