EP01-17_ Poetry and Beyond: The Journey of Loo Kee Pow , 詩與遠方：寒川的詩與情

詩與遠方：寒川的詩與情 在新加坡這片融合多元文化的土地上，有一位以詩為筆、以情為墨的旅星詩人——寒川（本名呂紀葆）。他的一生，如詩般交織著鄉愁、文學與熱忱；他的筆下，既有對故土金門的濃烈依戀，也有對東南亞華文文學的執著推動。作為東南亞華文文壇的代表人物之一，他的故事，是關於文學、文化與生命的交響曲。 故鄉的詩意：從金門到新加坡 「我手寫我心，我手寫我口。」寒川在專訪中，用這句話描述了他的創作信念。出生於金門的他，五歲時隨母親移居新加坡，從此在這座花園城市成長與深耕。然而，金門的鄉土氣息始終縈繞在他的心頭，成為他文學創作中不可或缺的元素。 「金門對我而言，是一座深深刻印在靈魂裡的島嶼，無論身在何方，記憶總會帶我回到那片土地。」寒川在談及詩作時特別提到。從《童年·金門》到《古厝》，他的作品充滿對故鄉的追憶與情感寄託。他說，離鄉與還鄉，是他詩中反覆咀嚼的意象。「那不只是空間上的距離，更是一種情感的往返。」 文學評論家張國治曾評價：「寒川的詩是一部關於金門與南洋的交響詩，他以詩記錄歷史，也用詩歌連結中華文化的根脈。」 文學推廣者：印華文學的燈塔 寒川的文學足跡不僅停留在詩歌。他的妻子是一位印尼華人，這段跨國婚姻讓寒川深刻了解印尼華人的處境，尤其是在1970至1990年代，印尼華文教育和文學受到壓制的年代裡。面對挑戰，他毅然成為橋梁，不畏艱險，攜帶上千本華文書刊進入印尼，供當地華文作家使用。 「當時的情況相當困難，華文書籍是禁忌，帶進去需要極大的勇氣。」寒川回憶起這段經歷，語氣中透著堅定。這些努力不僅讓印尼華文文學得以保存，也成就了他在印華文壇的傳奇地位。 「我不想讓華文文學在任何地方消失。」他說道。 文學組織與文化交流：南洋華文文學的引路人 除了個人的創作，寒川還積極參與文學組織，推動區域文學合作。他曾是新加坡文藝協會的重要成員，多次擔任總務和財政等職，並主編多期《新加坡文藝》。此外，他也曾任錫山文藝中心主席（2012-2016），並長期擔任錫山文藝半年刊編務顧問。他的努力不僅提升了新加坡華文文學的地位，也成為區域文化交流的關鍵推動者。 近年來，寒川義務擔任印尼《國際日報-東盟文藝》和《印華日報-東盟園地》的副刊主編，策劃每週一期的華文文友作品專欄，涵蓋新加坡、馬來西亞、泰國、越南等東盟國家，為東南亞華文文學留下珍貴的歷史篇章。 「東南亞是一片文化的沃土，需要我們去共同耕耘，讓華文文學在這裡扎根成長。」寒川的語氣中透露出使命感。 榮譽與新作：文壇的持續迴響 2024年，寒川榮獲印尼華文作家協會頒發的「印華文壇貢獻獎」，以表彰他多年來對印尼華文文學的推動。同年，他於6月1日推出了全新力作——《寒川序跋集》，這部作品將他多年的文學評論、序跋與創作感悟濃縮成篇，是一次對文學之路的全面回顧與致敬。 「《寒川序跋集》不僅是我多年來文學歷程的見證，也是我對文學傳承的期待。」寒川這樣形容自己的最新作品。 此外，寒川近年來還出版了詩集《高粱三題》、文集《世說寒川》以及散文集《書寫華崗》。他表示：「文學是一種傳承，也是一種對未來的期盼。」對於未來，他希望能透過更多作品，為後人留下思考與感動的空間。 詩人的使命 寒川，這位跨越時空的詩人，以他無私的奉獻和深刻的創作，書寫了屬於東南亞華文文學的輝煌篇章。他的詩，飽含濃烈的情感與深邃的思想；他的人生，如詩般動人，也如詩般永恆。 「無論身處何地，詩人都應該成為人類情感的代言人。」寒川如是說。 在他的故事裡，我們看到的不僅是個人的文學追求，更是一份對文化的承諾，對未來的希望。這位行旅者，以詩為路，走過故鄉與異鄉，將生命化作最動人的詩篇。 Poetry and Beyond: The Journey of Han Chuan ( 寒川 ) In Singapore, a land of diverse cultures and vibrant creativity, there lives a poet who writes with his pen dipped in emotions—Han Chuan (birth name: Loo Kee Pow). His life is a symphony interwoven with nostalgia, literature, and passion. His work reflects a deep longing for his native Kinmen while embodying an unwavering dedication to the promotion of Chinese literature in Southeast Asia. As a representative figure of the Chinese literary community in the region, his story is a harmonious blend of literature, culture, and life. The Poetic Essence of Home: From Kinmen to Singapore "I write my heart, I write my words." This is how Han Chuan describes his creative philosophy in this interview. Born in Kinmen, he moved to Singapore with his mother at the age of five, growing up and building his life in the Garden City. Yet, the essence of Kinmen has never left his heart, becoming an indelible part of his literary work. "Kinmen is deeply etched in my soul. No matter where I am, my memories always take me back to that land," Han Chuan remarks. From Childhood in Kinmen to The Old House, his works are imbued with a profound sense of nostalgia and emotional connection to his homeland. He notes that separation and return are recurring themes in his poetry, representing not just physical distances but also emotional journeys. Literary critic Zhang Guozhi once commented, "Han Chuan's poetry is a symphony of Kinmen and Nanyang. Through his poems, he records history and connects with the roots of Chinese culture." A Literary Promoter: A Beacon for Indonesian Chinese Literature Han Chuan’s literary journey is not confined to poetry alone. His wife, an Indonesian Chinese, exposed him to the challenges faced by the Chinese community in Indonesia, particularly during the suppression of Chinese education and literature from the 1970s to the 1990s. Braving the odds, he became a bridge, smuggling thousands of Chinese books into Indonesia to support local writers. "The situation was extremely difficult at the time. Chinese books were taboo, and bringing them in required immense courage," Han Chuan recalls with determination. His efforts not only preserved Chinese literature in Indonesia but also earned him a legendary status in the Indonesian Chinese literary community. "I refuse to let Chinese literature disappear anywhere," he asserts. Building Bridges: A Leader in Southeast Asian Chinese Literature Beyond his personal creations, Han Chuan actively participates in literary organizations, fostering regional literary collaborations. As a key member of the Singapore Literature Society, he held positions such as treasurer and editor of multiple issues of Singapore Literature. Furthermore, he served as the Chairman of the Xishan Literary Arts Center (2012–2016) and was a long-term editorial consultant for the Xishan Biannual Literary Journal. His efforts have elevated the standing of Chinese literature in Singapore and established vital cultural connections across the region. In recent years, Han Chuan has taken on voluntary roles as the editor of the ASEAN Literary supplement in Indonesia’s International Daily and the ASEAN Forum section of the Indonesian Chinese Daily. He curated weekly columns featuring works by Chinese writers across ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, leaving a lasting legacy for Southeast Asian Chinese literature. "Southeast Asia is fertile ground for culture. We need to cultivate it together so that Chinese literature can take root and thrive here," Han Chuan emphasizes, his tone filled with a sense of mission. Awards and Recent Works: The Continuing Impact In 2024, Han Chuan was honored with the "Indonesian Chinese Literary Contribution Award" by the Indonesian Chinese Writers Association, recognizing his enduring dedication to the development of Chinese literature in Indonesia. That same year, on June 1st, he released his latest masterpiece, Han Chuan’s Collected Prefaces and Postscripts, a compilation of his literary critiques, prefaces, and reflections—a comprehensive review of his literary journey and a tribute to his legacy. "Han Chuan’s Collected Prefaces and Postscripts is not only a testament to my literary journey but also a reflection of my hope for the future of literature," Han Chuan says about his latest work. In addition, Han Chuan has recently published the poetry collection Three Pieces of Sorghum, the essay collection The World According to Han Chuan, and the prose collection Writing from Huagang. He notes, "Literature is a form of inheritance and a hope for the future." He hopes his works will leave a space for thought and inspiration for future generations. The Poet's Mission Han Chuan, a poet who transcends time and space, has written a luminous chapter in the history of Southeast Asian Chinese literature through his selfless dedication and profound creations. His poems brim with intense emotions and profound insights, while his life itself is as moving and eternal as poetry. "Wherever we are, poets should always be the voice of human emotions," Han Chuan states. Through his story, we see not just the pursuit of personal literary goals but also a commitment to culture and a hope for the future. This traveler, with poetry as his compass, has journeyed through his homeland and foreign lands, turning his life into the most touching verses. This English version faithfully captures Han Chuan's literary achievements and his unwavering commitment to the promotion of Chinese literature, while maintaining the emotional depth of the original text. Powered by Firstory Hosting