Queer Asian Poets Pay As You Feel Tickets (not including workshops).

The Passion of the Rabbit God by Hongwei Bao: 

The Rabbit God: protector of queer hearts across East Asia. Can this ancient myth help rewrite our tomorrows? 

Hongwei Bao’s debut collection charts an emotional journey through centuries and between nations, with the poet’s own migration from Inner Mongolia to Nottingham offering a unique, fascinating perspective through which to examine Asian and queer identity. 

These are poems which hop energetically over any and all borders. Scenes of everyday heartache give way to fireworks of rage and joy, while intimate examinations of relationships and desire sit alongside politically charged pieces – as the poet contrasts injustices from ancient China with those from present-day England. 

In verses alive with longing and resistance, Bao’s poems ask: what does it mean to love, defy, and bloom as a queer, Asian soul in our ever-changing world?
You can purchase a copy of Hongwei's poetry collection from Juniper By the Sea - The UK's first online East and Southeast Asian Bookshop: https://www.juniperbythesea.com/ 
 

Author Bio: Hongwei Bao (he/him)grew up in Inner Mongolia, China, and lives in Nottingham, UK. He teaches at the University of Nottingham. As a bilingual writer, he uses poetry, short story and creative nonfiction to explore queer desire, Asian identity, diasporic positionality and transcultural intimacy. His creative work has appeared in Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, Ink, Sweat & Tears, Messy Misfits Club, Migrant Diaries, Shanghai Literary Review, The Hooghly Review, The Ponder Review, The Rialto, the other side of hope, The Voice & Verse Poetry Magazine and Write On. His work has also been featured in anthologies such as Allegheny Nonfiction Anthology, Maria Lazar: Poetry from Exile, Queer Reparative Poetry Anthology and The Plaza Prizes Anthology One. His flash fiction ‘A Postcard from Berlin’ was a runner-up for the Plaza Prize for Microfiction in 2023. His debut poetry collection The Passion of the Rabbit God is forthcoming with Valley Press in 2024.

Facilitator Bio: Si Long Chan (they/them) is a Geordie East wAsian born in Hong Kong and grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. They are a co-founder and organiser of East and Southeast Asians North East, Researcher, LGBT+ Anti-Violence Worker, and Artist. They will be facilitating sessions, organising the event, and if you have any questions about the day you can contact them at [email protected]

Live Music: Acoustic set from local artist Maya Xian.

Poetry Sharing & Performance: an invitation for attendees to come and listen to and/or share their writing - whether this is a work in progress, a piece that has emerged from the workshops, or a finished piece. All levels of writing experience welcome to share. Co-facilitated by Si Long Chan and Ilisha Thiru Purcell.

Chilled Space: want a chilled break? Feeling overwhelmed? Fancy some crafts? Visit Matt Shahin Richardson in the chilled space for comfort and crafts. Sensory toys available.

Community Stalls: there will be a few stalls on the day with information and merchandise. Get ready to purchase Queer Asian literature!!!

This event is free, but we encourage people to make a donation. Any money received will be divided between fundraisers for Congo, Palestine and Sudan.

If you would like to make a contribution to East and Southeast Asians for hosting this event, you can do this on our main Open Collective page: https://opencollective.com/esa-ne

Artists may be selling books on the day.