The Chinese University of Hong Kong hosted its fourth “International Poetry Nights in Hong Kong”from November 26 to 29, 2015. Twenty-one celebrated poets from various countries were invited to the event.

The two artists invited from Japan were writer and poet Yoko Tawada and our own Chancellor Noriko Mizuta. The gathered participants took part in a poetry reading and also a “Poetry and Conflict” panel. It was a heavy discussion surrounding many recent issues in the world, including the rising problems in the Middle East and their effects.

Each poem during the reading was about 300 lines long. Wonderful musical performances and stage backdrops accompanied the poets’readings, further bringing out the beauty in their lines.

Attendees strongly felt not only poetry’s ability to illustrate the issues directly facing the world, but also the greatness of a poet’s power and influence in general.

During this visit to Hong Kong, Chancellor Mizuta was also able to meet with President Way Kuo of the City University of Hong Kong, one of Josai's sister schools. She once again extended her gratitude for his participation in the Josai University Educational Corporation’s 50th Anniversary Ceremony as well as for CityU’s reception of Josai students into its training programs.

[Guest Poets]

Mohammed Bennis (Morocco)
Chen Li (Taiwan)
Peter Cole (USA)
Najwan Darwish (Palestine)
Jean-Michel Espitallier (France)
Gemma Gorga (Spain)
Kim Hyesoon (Korea)

ko ko thett (Burma)
Étienne Lalonde (Canada)
Lau Yee-ching (Hong Kong)
Nikola Madzirov (Macedonia)
Agi Mishol (Israel)
Noriko Mizuta (Japan)
Les Murray (Australia)

Fernando Pinto do Amaral (Portugal)
Gleb Shulpyakov (Russia)
Song Lin (China)
Yoko Tawada (Japan)
Anne Waldman (USA)
Wang Xiaoni (China)
Ghassan Zaqtan （Palestin）