Frankfurt Book Fair: Taiwanese and Czech authors unite on democratic values

At this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, the focus of cultural exchange unexpectedly sparked a profound connection between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. As the global publishing industry's most iconic annual event, the Frankfurt Book Fair has always served as an important stage for international cultural output and literary dialogue. The pavilion of this year's Guest of Honor, the Czech Republic, officially opened recently, featuring a highly anticipated transnational dialogue that invited renowned Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zu and prominent Czech writer Radka Denemarkova to share the stage. Drawing from their respective creative contexts, narrative perspectives, and profound travel experiences, the two female writers engaged in a spiritual dialogue spanning the Eurasian continent. They not only discussed how literature can carry historical memory, but also glimpsed the values of democracy and the light of self-reflection within each other's national historical experiences.

The core of this dialogue was built upon the two writers' acute observations of history and the fates of their eras. Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zu has garnered widespread attention in the Chinese-language literary world in recent years. Her works frequently provide deep depictions of ordinary life, female companionship, and the subtle corners of history in Taiwan under different regimes and changing eras, demonstrating a resilient Taiwanese subjectivity. Meanwhile, Czech writer Radka Denemarkova enjoys a prestigious reputation in the international literary scene. She previously undertook a residency in Tainan, giving her firsthand, intuitive experience and a deep emotional connection to the land of Taiwan. Although the two writers grew up in environments with vastly different cultural backgrounds, their countries share similar geopolitical positions wedged between major powers, and both have historically endured the oppression of totalitarian rule, foreign interference, and the heavy costs paid in the struggle for democracy and freedom. This shared historical context generated a strong resonance during their conversation.

During the dialogue, Yang Shuang-zu and Radka Denemarkova explored in depth how literary works can serve as tools for recording historical truths. In an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency, Denemarkova further revealed her latest creative project, a piece of news that greatly encouraged attendees and cultural figures following the event. She is currently preparing a brand-new novel centered on the histories and current realities of Taiwan and Central Europe, with the working title "Nanning Street." This place name is not unfamiliar to those familiar with Tainan's historical context; Nanning Street is not only one of the places she lived during her residency in Tainan, but also symbolizes her attempt to contrast Taiwan's micro-level memories with Central Europe's macro-level historical experiences. Through this upcoming work, Denemarkova expects to place Taiwan on a broader world literary map, exploring the similar state of mind between the two regions when facing threats from powerful entities, transitional justice, and the pursuit of democracy.

Denemarkova's connection with Taiwan is no coincidence; her past residency experience in Tainan opened a door for her to understand East Asian history. For many Czech intellectuals, after experiencing the disillusionment of the Prague Spring and the democratic baptism of the Velvet Revolution, there is a natural sense of understanding and affinity toward Taiwan, which has similarly endured a period of martial law and the White Terror before successfully transitioning toward democracy and openness. During her residency in Tainan, Denemarkova not only closely observed the daily details of ordinary Taiwanese society, but also attempted to transform the process of how Taiwanese people survive within historical gaps and shape their unique cultural identities into nourishment for literary creation. This cross-cultural field research and deep experience have shattered past Western literary stereotypes of Asian culture, making Taiwan no longer just an abstract geopolitical term, but a cultural entity rich in historical texture and vitality.

From a broader perspective of international cultural exchange, the encounter between Yang Shuang-zu and Radka Denemarkova at the Frankfurt Book Fair symbolizes an important step forward for Taiwanese literature on the global stage. For a long time, Taiwanese literature has mostly been promoted abroad through translated works; however, being able to engage in an equal and profound dialogue with a heavyweight European author within the pavilion of the world's top book fair's Guest of Honor demonstrates that the intellectual depth and literary substance of Taiwanese writers possess the strength to converse with the world. Although Taiwan and the Czech Republic are thousands of miles apart, they walk along the same spiritual axis in their pursuit of democracy, defense of freedom values, and reflection on history through the written word. Through their novels, the two writers reflect each other's countries, allowing international readers to see how literature can become a vital force in uniting people and defending democratic values during turbulent times.

(Source of Facts: Central News Agency)