The International Writers’ Workshop (IWW) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, has successfully concluded its “2026 Writers‑in‑Residence Programme” from 2 to 29 March 2026. Centred on the theme “Here and There”, this year’s programme brought together six internationally acclaimed writers for a four-week residency of in-depth literary exchange. The writers were: Mr. Li Dong, poet and translator from Germany; Ms. Gabriela Babnik Ouattara, novelist and translator from Slovenia; Mr. Mashiul Alam, novelist and translator from Bangladesh; Mr. Rob Doyle, novelist from Ireland; Ms. Susan Barker, novelist from the United Kingdom; and Ms. Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, novelist and essayist from Kenya. For their biographies, please click here. 

The programme opened with a conversation session on 3 March. Moderated by Prof. James Shea, Director of the IWW, this event drew strong participation from more than 200 HKBU faculty, students, and members of the public for cultural exchange and conversation about writing across languages and borders. The highly anticipated “IWW Literary Festival” took place from 23 to 25 March, featuring the six Writers‑in‑Residence in a series of panels, workshops, and literary readings that connected stories across places, voices and borders.

Founded in 2004, the International Writers’ Workshop has welcomed over 150 writers from more than 55 countries, fostering cross-cultural exchange and creative collaboration both within Hong Kong and internationally. It remains one of the few writers-in-residence programmes in Asia. As a non-profit initiative, the workshop counts on the funding support of sponsors, the University and the Faculty.