Lijia Zhang's Blog, page 32

a profile written by a student

Recently I was interviewed by a Chinese student who is working on her MA at Goldsmiths, University of London. It is the best profile ever written about me. But I think the young student did a good job.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u7L0RFlazRVIxdDt8YZzXJPBo_XUvyY3Wi-uHFmNMWA

My winning of Mulan award

I am happy to announce that I won an award given by Mulan, a London based foundation which recognizes the achievement of Chinese women living in UK. So finally, I got something tangible to show off to my family. For more than 20 years, I’ve been working as a freelancer. In the eyes of my mother, I am jobless – 无业游民 – even though I’ve written books, published in the Guardian and the New York Times won fellowships and been featured in the BBC. Last night’s award ceremony gala dinner took place in the spectacular the Oriental Club. Thank you Mulan and all those who helped me to get there.

my concerns about the ‘Single Day’ shopping

Here’s the link to the piece about the ‘Single’s Day’ in which I am quoted.

https://www.upmpulp.com/media/blogs-and-stories/stories/happy-shopping-day—or-opportunity-to-waste/

BBC radio’s World Book Club

You can now listen to to my episode of WBC. It sounds good!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3cswssn

BBC’s World Book Club’s Author of the Month

I was thrilled to be featured by BBC radio’s World Book Club! The event took place last night. At Beijing’s Bookworm last night, I was interviewed in front of a live audience, talking about my writing life and my debut novel Lotus. People from around the world sent questions or called in. I am delighted to say that it went very well – as you can see from the pictures that we laughed so much! Big thanks to the BBC crew for making this happen; thanks to those who took the time to ask all those wonderful questions and thanks to you lovely poeple who braved the wind and chill to be there for me. Greatly appreciated.

The Pankhursts

Last week, I went to see Slyvia the musical, inspired by the extraodinary life of suffagattes leader Slyvia Pankhurst. (An amazing production. If you haven’t seen it. Hurry and go!) Last night, I had the pleasure of having Helen Pankhurst, her grand-daughter, over for dinner. Following her family tradition, Dr. H. Pankhurst is also an activist in women’s rights and a writer on the subject. Sent from my iPhone

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On BBC World Service Radio

I was on the BBC World Service’s Weekend program this Saturday. It’s a news and current affair program, summerising the happenings of the week. It always has two guests who have the chance to comments on the events and talk about their careers and life. I’ve done a few times before and I particularly enjoyed this one as I laughed a lot with the presenter and the fellow guest Andrew Mueller, who is an Australian journalist and writer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wf2qw/episodes/player

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growth of Christianity in China

Here’s an interesting piece about the growth of Christianity and spiritual vacuum in China, in which I am quoted.

https://apnews.com/a2e4a0436fba4146a156daef77885945.

Highgate

I am always fascinated by cemeteries, interesting placex to explore, to get lost and to reflect life and death. A few years ago, I visited Highgate Cemetery in North London, known among the Chinese as the lasting rest place of Karl Max. I failed to join a guided tour then – seriously you have to book months beforehand. Now I’ve finally done the tour and delighted that I’ve done it: under the guide of a knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn the rich history, meaning of the funeral symbols, and the bonus of being taken to the catacombs that are not open to the general public and pay respect to singer Gorge Michael, who was buried next to his mother. (To prevent his fans from doing silly things, he hasn’t even got a tomb stone.) Highgate is regarded as ‘one of England’s greatest treasures’ with fine funerary architecture and a beautiful ground.

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being quoted in a piece about China’s rising metoo movement

https://qz.com/1265510/china-tried-to-crush-metoo-but-its-making-a-comeback/