Weekly Hong Kong poetry group gains allies and stature by stressing inclusion
Group that began with informal readings 10 years ago now collaborates with Asian and local institutions
Since the beloved weekly open mic night Peel Street Poets launched 12 years ago, it has grown as Hong Kong’s fledgling literary scene has evolved. Originally started as a series of informal poetry readings at a tiny Soho cafe that has since closed, the event once was a regular haunt for creatives including journalists, tennis instructors, chefs and English teachers.
Over time, this ragtag collection of poetry fans became a bona fide, diverse community. Some even became inspired to publish their own work through the encouragement of their friends and peers at Peel Street Poets.
“I always talk about us as a literary arts collective because we’ve gone beyond being an open mic night,” says Hongkonger Nashua Gallagher, who co-founded the group at the tender age of 16. “We are a hub. We are an incubator for ideas and events.”
Singapore’s lonely poets: migrant workers who feel excluded find their voice through writing, as new documentary shows
Following the success of their tenth anniversary slam event and last year’s appearance at TEDx Wan Chai, the organisers plan to continue collaborating with other local and Asia-wide literary institutions such as the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, literary journal Cha, and the Hong Kong Writers Circle.
“The literary scene is definitely growing here,” adds Henrik Hoeg, who joined the group five years ago and is now its regular MC at events. “We hope to keep the connection between the international scene and local grassroots organisations.”
Although the city has its share of social problems, there is still space and room for this arts movement to grow
Gallagher believes Hong Kong has been a dynamic melting pot ideal for the arts to thrive. “I think Hong Kong’s always had a strong tradition of freedom of expression,” she says. “People say that this city’s soulless, all work hard, no play. Although the city has its share of social problems, there is still space and room for this arts movement to grow.”
