Between Science and Fiction

Once cast aside by academia as a literary genre, Science Fiction’s importance has risen in the past decades due to its ability to describe and predict real-world issues. But what can science fiction still predict when the world itself is changing so fast that almost nothing can catch up with it? What, as readers, can we still learn from this literary genre? On 4th November, we are pleased to have Albert TAM and Pat-to YAN with us to talk about their perspectives on the evolving landscape of Science Fiction writing.
 
Albert TAM is a Hong Kong-based novelist who first gained his fame by writing a series of successful sci-fi novels, while Pat-to YAN has written and directed several ambitious theatre pieces foretelling the future of mankind. Both, however, shared a same passion for sci-fi novels and films growing up in Hong Kong.

Registration

About the Speakers:

Albert Tam

A Hong Kong-based novelist, is renowned for his crime and science fiction works. His debut crime novel, The Clan Must Die, topped the "Readmoo Recommended Mystery 2023" list and won the fiction prize at the Taipei International Book Exhibition, with a Korean edition published and a Vietnamese edition in progress. His sci-fi novel, Humanoid Software, secured the best novel title at the Chinese Nebula Awards. His detective story, African Lion at Chunking Mansion, was adapted into a musical. Formerly a database developer, Tam now maintains a widely referenced database on “Hong Kong mystery novels since 2001” and authored A History of Hong Kong Science Fiction.

Yan Pat-to

Active in Hong Kong and German Theatre. Playwright, Director, Educator. Acting Principal of HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity. Artistic Director of Reframe Theatre. House Author of Germany Nationatheater Mannheim (2021-2022). Former Elected Council Member and the Chairman of the committee of Literary Art of Hong Kong Arts Development Council (2019-2022). Graduated from the University of Hong Kong, majoring in English Literature; the Chinese University of Hong Kong, MA in Sociology; Royal Holloway, University of London, MA in Playwriting.

His play in EnglishA Concise History of Future Chinawas selected by the 2016 Berliner Festspiele Theatertreffen Stückemarkt as one of the five theatre works presented. It is the first ethnic Chinese play ever selected. His play in CantoneseWhite Blaze of the Morningis awarded Best Play, at the 8th Hong Kong Theatre Libre. Seven of his plays were translated into German and performed. His works were commissioned or invited by the following institutions: Munich Biennale - New Music Festival, Mannheimer Sommer Festival, Munich Residenztheater, Schauspiel Frankfurt, Stadttheater Giessen, Theater Freiburg, Staatsschauspiel Saarbrücken, Lubeck Theater, Landestheater Linz, Theatre du Brianconnais, Theatre Antoine Vitez in Aix en Provence, Mousson d'été Festival, Montreal CINARS Biennale Official Programme, Swedish Radio, South Korea Asia Playwright Festival, Taiwan Quanta Arts Foundation, Hong Kong New Vision Festival, International Arts Carnival, Tai Kwun, Fringe Club, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and On & On Theatre Workshop, etc.

His recent works includeA Haunted Online Meeting, Posthuman Condition, The Damned And The Saved, A Poem In Jail, Happily Ever After Nuclear Explosion, Goldfish Of Berlin, After The Flood Floods, Stream Of Consciousness, The Year Of Jin Feng, How To Present Lovelife of Hong Kongers to Aliens, etc.

Suhrkamp Theater Verlag represents the copyright of some of his plays.