When Chinese science fiction and fantasy lovers heard in May
that eminent science fiction and fantasy writers, including Neil
Gaiman and Robert J. Sawyer, would come to China, they were so
excited that they could not believe it. Chinese sci-fi and fantasy
fans had their dreams come true when they spent last night together
with the two writers. Later, in a local bookworm bar everyone
discussed the world of imagination that brought people together to
participate in the 2007 Chengdu China SF/Fantasy Conference.
The 2007 China (Chengdu) SF/Fantasy Conference hosted the event.
The theme: “Science, Imagination and Future” is an ambitious
Chinese effort designed to inspire public creativity toward future
scientific and technological development as well as promote
national insight for scientific exploration. The conference has
been scheduled immediately before the World Science Fiction
Convention in Yokohama, Japan.
The Chengdu gala, sponsored by the Sichuan Provincial Science
Technology Association, will last from August 24 to 30. It has
attracted the most creative people throughout the world. ?SF
writers from home and abroad are attending the conference, also
critics, artists and fans, as well as elite scientists working in
science and technology.
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Noted science fiction writers from US? Nancy Kress (right) and
Michael Swanwick
Neil Gaiman, author of the SF story American Gods,
winner of the Hugo Award for the Best Novel 2002, (the Hugo Award,
also known as the Science Fiction Achievement Award, is given every
year for the best science fiction or fantasy work of the previous
year in several categories) and Robert J. Sawyer, whose
Hominids won the 2003 Hugo Award for Best Novel, both
participated in the conference, together with other noted
writers.
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Noted UK science ficition and fantasy writer Neil Gaiman with
fans
The conference has designated August 25 as “China Imagination
Day”. SF and fantasy lovers signed their names on a banner to
commemorate this day during the opening ceremony.
“Imagination is an important premise for creativity. Science
fiction literature plays an important role in inspiring people’s
imagination and creativity,” said Li Xiuting, vice director of the
International Department of the China Association for Science and
Technology, at the opening ceremony on Saturday.
“Our (science fiction) words become the world and our
words become places that you can visit. They become books
and stories that inspire people. It is both surprising and
reassuring to know by accident that the places have helped to make
a future we are now living. Places like Microsoft and Google, Apple
and places like MIT are packed with science fiction readers and
fantasy readers,” Neil Gaiman said on Saturday.
"Ten years ago, the catchword of ‘Let science teach people, let
people understand science’ was brought to the masses by the 97
Beijing International Conference for Science Fiction. For this
year’s convention, banners bearing the inscription ‘Let science
guide us, become scientific Chinese’ will be raised high. Through
this idea we hope that the masses’ consciousness of science will be
further evoked. On this platform we hope that a solid foundation
for a thriving China will be laid. China’s science fiction, which
shoulders so many heavy responsibilities, is looking forward to the
eager participation and the great support of people from all walks
of life,” said Lu Tiecheng, president of Sichuan provincial
association of science and technology.
Certainly science fiction and fantasy literature has fostered a
growing number of Chinese readers. Over five thousand fans have
come to Chengdu to meet their long-term idols. They can feel the
imaginative atmosphere here.
Hua Song, a junior student from Jiangsu Province and Jia Xu, a
soon-to-be freshman from Xichang, another city in Sichuan, are both
fans of science fiction stories. They traveled by train to Chengdu
to take part in the SF and fantasy feast. The pair became friends
as soon as they met due to their shared interest.
“We started reading science fiction stories several years ago.
At first, we were just curious, but now we have fallen in love with
this genre. We buy books as soon as they are published. After many
readings, science fiction has changed our world view and our
philosophy of life,” they explained.
Many fans also are serving as volunteers for the conference. Zhu
Fengxue, an 18-year-old girl, flew to Chengdu from Beijing to act
as a volunteer interpreter on Monday. She had to pay her own air
tickets of almost 3,000 yuan, but she said that the trip was well
worth it.
During the weeklong event, 23 lectures and an imaginative
literature summit will be held as a platform for participants to
exchange their views and ideas. Topics include: the anticipation of
science and technology in the new era and the social function of
science fiction; facing the 21st century and developing the new
era’s science fiction; the tendencies of SF/fantasy literature in
the new era; the role science fiction plays in resolving problems
of population, resources, environment, and outer space
exploration.
The conference also hosts a wonderful exhibition of SF and
fantasy books, magazines, artwork and Internet games. University
students will present drama, plays and DVD works.
During the week science fiction and fantasy movies will be
shown as added entertainment for the SF fans.
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Exhibition of books (original and Chinesee versions), paintings and
collections
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Yuan Fang, August 26, 2007)
