The author Chen Qiufan (陈楸帆, also known as Stanley Chen) is one of Chinese science fiction’s big names. A multiple award-winner, Mr Chen has become known for his style that focuses on individuals’ internal struggles during times of accelerated change, and his use of AI-generated content in his stories.
His works have been translated into several languages. Recently, his 2013 debut novel 荒潮 (The Waste Tide) has also been translated into Finnish with the name Jättömaa (Aula & Co, 2021).
As Carlos Rojas and Andrea Bachner (2016, 559) note, “the novel combines realism with allegory to present the hybridity of humans and machines in the posthuman image of a cyborg who, living anonymously in the lowest depths of society, is awakened to a new self-identity and class-consciousness”.
In light of the recent Finnish-language translation, the University of Helsinki will host a special online event on the novel and Chen’s work on Tuesday 12 October, 12:15 to 13:45 Finnish time (CET +1 hour, GMT +3 hours).
The event “Waste Tide and Beyond: An Event with Sci-Fi Author Chen Qiufan” will consist of a discussion in Finnish with the novel’s translator Rauno Sainio, and a Q&A in English with Chen Qiufan, conducted by Eero Suoranta, PhD candidate at the University of Helsinki.
If you are interested in the event, please register here by Sunday 10 October 2021. The Zoom link to the event will be sent to registered participants only.
For more background on Chen Qiufan, his life and works, and Chinese science fiction in general, please have a look at this recent article published in the Wired magazine.
Also, feel free to peruse the Helsinki China Podcast’s episodes on Chen Qiufan and Jättömaa, and Chinese science fiction.