As a student in the HKU MFA, I'm surprised and baffled that CityU has made this decision/mistake. The more writing programmes Hong Kong has to offer, the better. There should be as many opportunities for writers as it is possible. We need to build up a literary community of all styles and genres to show the world that there is art to be found in our city. And in spite of attending a different school, I have still benefitted from attention and events for CityU's programme which I cannot be more thankful for. Keep the CityU MFA!!
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Anonymous
11 years ago
Hong Kong needs this program. Don't stunt creativity.
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Kelly Falconer
11 years ago
The Hong Kong City U Creative Writing MFA programme was and should remain an important nuance to a way of life here in Hong Kong already overwhelmed by one-dimensional capitalism and capitalist aims. And though I am a firm believer in capitalism and its democratizing power, I also believe it to be successful only when it leads to the enhancement of a culture, of a place, when it inspires art, and funds art, be it performing art or literary. But Hong Kong loves its glittery see and be-seen performing arts, not so much its quieter, more contemplative literary arts, unless it's at an 800 HKD per ticket event featuring a famous Western author brought over especially and only for those who can afford that kind of exclusive price. The mark of a refined society is how well its artists thrive, and are given space to thrive. Remember, those famous Western writers were also once struggling artists themselves, and without programmes such as the City U MFA here in Hong Kong to enhance and add to the cultural diversity of Hong Kong then we rely on an ever smaller pool of people and institutions believing in the artistic and literary merits of their own native sons and daughters, and those others who choose to live and work and study here in Hong Kong. I cannot praise Xu Xi highly enough for putting together such an ambitious and inspiring creative writing programme that has helped to foster and encourage local and international talent, that has brought to us Pulitzer Prize-winning writers who have given talks and readings – FOR FREE – for audiences in Hong Kong otherwise starved of this kind of intellectual sustenance and stimulation. The closure of this programme – admirably SELF-SUSTAINING – should surely be seen as a loss of face, and a betrayal to the aims The Shaw Foundation, which funded the development of the media centre that holds many of the creative writing MFA programme classes and events, and which also serves the wider population of the city, be they enrolled at t
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Ravi Shankar
11 years ago
Featured
The region needs programs like this which allow both Asian and Non-Asian writers to find their voice. Plus the rationale given by the Administration for the program's closure is false; it has become financially self-sustaining. I hope the decision will be reconsidered.
S
Sybil Baker
11 years ago
The closure of this program negatively affects City U's reputation around the world.
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Tim Tomlinson
11 years ago
The region needs this program; I hope CityU restores it.
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Anonymous
11 years ago
I would like to sign the petition.
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
I would like to sign the petition.
B
Barbara Cooper
11 years ago
Save good programs that help people grow.
P
Phouc Shim
11 years ago
i went to school at City U and couldn't be more ashamed!!
D
David Flynn
11 years ago
Featured
As a creative writing teacher in America, and someone who has published fiction about Hong Kong, I know how precious this program is to the students, to the city, and to the country. There is no replacement.
E
Elise Levine
11 years ago
Please reinstate this glorious, internationally respected program.
As a student in the HKU MFA, I'm surprised and baffled that CityU has made this decision/mistake. The more writing programmes Hong Kong has to offer, the better. There should be as many opportunities for writers as it is possible. We need to build up a literary community of all styles and genres to show the world that there is art to be found in our city. And in spite of attending a different school, I have still benefitted from attention and events for CityU's programme which I cannot be more thankful for. Keep the CityU MFA!!
Hong Kong needs this program. Don't stunt creativity.
The Hong Kong City U Creative Writing MFA programme was and should remain an important nuance to a way of life here in Hong Kong already overwhelmed by one-dimensional capitalism and capitalist aims. And though I am a firm believer in capitalism and its democratizing power, I also believe it to be successful only when it leads to the enhancement of a culture, of a place, when it inspires art, and funds art, be it performing art or literary. But Hong Kong loves its glittery see and be-seen performing arts, not so much its quieter, more contemplative literary arts, unless it's at an 800 HKD per ticket event featuring a famous Western author brought over especially and only for those who can afford that kind of exclusive price. The mark of a refined society is how well its artists thrive, and are given space to thrive. Remember, those famous Western writers were also once struggling artists themselves, and without programmes such as the City U MFA here in Hong Kong to enhance and add to the cultural diversity of Hong Kong then we rely on an ever smaller pool of people and institutions believing in the artistic and literary merits of their own native sons and daughters, and those others who choose to live and work and study here in Hong Kong. I cannot praise Xu Xi highly enough for putting together such an ambitious and inspiring creative writing programme that has helped to foster and encourage local and international talent, that has brought to us Pulitzer Prize-winning writers who have given talks and readings – FOR FREE – for audiences in Hong Kong otherwise starved of this kind of intellectual sustenance and stimulation. The closure of this programme – admirably SELF-SUSTAINING – should surely be seen as a loss of face, and a betrayal to the aims The Shaw Foundation, which funded the development of the media centre that holds many of the creative writing MFA programme classes and events, and which also serves the wider population of the city, be they enrolled at t
The region needs programs like this which allow both Asian and Non-Asian writers to find their voice. Plus the rationale given by the Administration for the program's closure is false; it has become financially self-sustaining. I hope the decision will be reconsidered.
The closure of this program negatively affects City U's reputation around the world.
The region needs this program; I hope CityU restores it.
I would like to sign the petition.
I would like to sign the petition.
Save good programs that help people grow.
i went to school at City U and couldn't be more ashamed!!
As a creative writing teacher in America, and someone who has published fiction about Hong Kong, I know how precious this program is to the students, to the city, and to the country. There is no replacement.
Please reinstate this glorious, internationally respected program.
Education should always be alive.