“Haha! Britain” Book Launch at the British Library – A Landmark Celebration of Chinese Voices in the UK
On March 15, 2025, the bilingual book launch of Haha! Britain was successfully held at the British Library’s Pigott Theatre, bringing together writers, scholars, and readers to celebrate the voices and experiences of the British Chinese community. This pioneering anthology, featuring 42 Chinese authors and 37 translators, offers a powerful reflection on cultural collision, adaptation, and identity through humour, wit, and heartfelt storytelling.
A Gathering of Literary & Cultural Voices
The event opened with inspiring speeches from Frances Wood (former Curator of Chinese Collections at the British Library), Stephen Perry (former Chairman of the 48 Group Club), and historian Tian Tian, who highlighted the importance of literature in shaping cultural narratives and bridging cross-cultural understanding.
A thought-provoking panel discussion, moderated by Cindy Yu (The Spectator), featured distinguished guests including:
· Hugo de Burgh – Founder of the China Media Centre and expert on Chinese media.
· Luise Schäfer OBE – Former British diplomat and mentor for Chinese women in the UK.
· Diya Wen – Award-winning journalist and former CCTV presenter.
· Winnie Cao – Chartered Tax Adviser and Deputy Editor of River Cam Breeze.
· Xuemo – Renowned Chinese novelist, exploring themes of survival and spirituality.
Panellists explored how humour helps challenge stereotypes, the significance of reclaiming Chinese diasporic narratives, and the barriers Chinese voices face in the UK’s cultural sphere.
Unveiling the MBL Overseas Chinese Book Awards
A key highlight of the event was the announcement of the plan to establish the MBL Overseas Chinese Book Awards, an initiative dedicated to recognizing emerging overseas Chinese writers, translators, and young authors. This award will serve as a platform to amplify Chinese voices in global literature and foster cross-cultural literary exchange.
Book Signing & Future Events
The event concluded with a lively book signing and networking session, where attendees engaged with authors and translators, sharing their thoughts on the stories that resonated with them. With upcoming author events planned in Cambridge, Reading, and Edinburgh, Haha! Britain continues its journey to ignite conversations and build bridges across cultures.
As poet Du Fu once wrote:
"In a foreign land, I bring forth the colours of spring;
From my homeland, I greet the hearts of distant guests."
Through Haha! Britain, we celebrate the resilience, creativity, and voices of British Chinese writers—preserving stories for future generations and making sure they are heard.
