The Writers are Coming

This past Saturday, about 20 members of the Independent Chinese PEN Society were stopped by the government from attending a year end dinner. Tactics included detention in hotel rooms and warnings by the police not to go. The article can be found here. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071222/lf_afp/chinamediarightsoly2008chn_071222185514

Those who did make it to the dinner were elated when they heard the news that some of their fellow writers were prevented to attend. "We, Chinese writers have had a tough time gaining international recognition," said one writer who chose to remain anonymous. "Now that the government is doing this, people who read about this news story abroad will finally know who we are!" He went on to say how his dream was to one day be detained so that people around the world would know who he is too.

Another writer said that the government was actually supporting writers by by keeping members from attending. "As you can see, the arts in China are flourishing and us writers (are) gaining international recognition because of what the government is doing," she said. "As a writer, being stopped by police is a golden ticket to getting your name out there."

She appears to be right. Because of their detentions and arrests Chinese writers are now more popular than ever. Modern Chinese novels are flying off the shelves from New York to Tokyo. The Chinese movie and television industry are popular worldwide, all of which, it seems, would have been impossible without the suppression of free thought of the writers who make them.

A Long time author who is still looking for recognition said, "Who hasn't heard of that guy who was arrested for writing a blog? Some guys have all the luck!"