In 2020, I led Poetry in Translation: East Meets West seminars, receiving excellent feedback from participants and audiences. In 2021, my bilingual anthology Mirrors and Windows, featuring 59 poets translated between Chinese and English, was published by Guernica Editions and selected by CBC as one of 45 Canadian poetry collections to watch that fall. These initiatives fostered meaningful cross-cultural engagement and demonstrated how poetry translation can build connections across languages and cultures.
In today’s divided global climate, projects that encourage understanding and dialogue are vital. Building on my previous work, I launched the 2026 project Borderless: Translating Across Divides to Foster Dialogue and Harmony. This intercultural initiative brings together Chinese- and English-speaking poets, translators, and readers to explore how poetry can bridge linguistic and cultural divides. Through collaborative workshops, participants translate and discuss selected poems, deepening their understanding of each other’s languages, traditions, and perspectives. The project will culminate in a bilingual anthology celebrating poetry’s power to connect communities.
I shared the project with sponsors from my 2025 Mississauga Arts Council initiative and received support from DC Reid and Katherine L. Gordon (poets), Chen Jie (President, Triple J Tax), and Zelko Odorcic (President, Nova Marketing Group Inc.). Leveraging my experience as Ontario Representative for the League of Canadian Poets and past collaborations, I have established a strong network of potential participants. I have invited a select group of poets and translators for the initial phase, with plans to expand participation gradually. This flexible approach ensures the project evolves organically according to resources and timelines.
More updates to follow next week—stay tuned.
We thank our sponsors: Nova Marketing Group, Triple J Canada, Sureway Press, and Canadian poets Katherine L. Gordon and D.C. Reid.
