Inspired by distinctly Asian issues, a new breed of Asian writers are struggling to make their voices heard above the western literary stranglehold by writing about hot topics such as Islam, the politics of hijab, political dissidence and terrorism.
“Around two-third of the world’s population lives in Asia while 90 per cent of the world’s culture is western,” Hong Kong-based writer Nury Vittachi was quoted as saying.
“That’s a huge anomaly and anomalies have a habit of correcting themselves,” added Nury who has written more than 20 books, including a successful series about a Feng Shui detective, C.F Wong.
Nuri is one of a growing breed of Asian authors writing in a uniquely eastern idiom who were at a writers’ festival in the Balinese resort town of Ubud, Indonesia seeking to make their voices heard above the western literary clamour.