2025 International Writing Program panel Writing as a Form of Activism Writing as a Form of Activism /

Streaming video - 2025

In an ever-shifting geopolitical world, writing is often used as a catalyst for social change. Do writers have an obligation to advocate for their communities? These essays explore what makes literature political, and the dangers and benefits that come with it. Roxana Crisólogo Correa (poet, translator, and cultural worker; Peru/Finland) recent books, Dónde dejar tanto ruido and Kauneus [Beauty], both in their third editions, explore language, migration, and the consequences of ecological and mental crises. She gives her migrant characters a sharp, persistent perspective, challenging paternalistic optimism. In 2013, she founded Sivuvalo in Helsinki, a platform dedicated to promoting Finnish literature abroad through translation and suppor...ting immigrant writers in Finland. She has been a Kone Foundation Fellow for projects such as Is This Finnish Literature? and New Havens & Humanoids. Her participation is made possible by a gift from the estate of William B. Quarton. Wong Ching Hang (fiction writer, journalist; Hong Kong/Scotland) was born in Hong Kong. In 2021, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council funded the publication of his debut short story collection, Southbound Truck 南歸貨車. Writing in a realistic style, he focuses mainly on Hong Kong’s New Territories West in his work with the aim of bringing to light how the lower-class lives and the roots of their difficulties. His first collection features a teacher, truck driver, detective, masseuse, welder, construction worker, and dock worker; his stories are set in the New Territories and beyond, which enable him to examine the complexity of cross-border population movement and the rapid changes the city has seen in recent years. His participation is made possible by the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global. Myle Yan Tay (playwright, fiction writer, essayist, comic book writer, critic; Singapore) is the author of catskull and playwright of Brown Boys Don’t Tell Jokes and Statement Piece. His debut novel, catskull, won Book of the Year and Best Literary Work at the Singapore Book Publishers Awards. He is currently working on a novel about Singapore’s mandatory military service. His participation is funded by National Arts Council Singapore. The IWP Friday Panel Discussion series provides an opportunity for the residents of Iowa City to meet and converse with writers from around the world who are the Fall 2025 Writers in Residence at the University of Iowa International Writing Program. The series is sponsored by The UI International Writing Program and The Iowa City Public Library. more