Talks

All year long we feature an eclectic salon of talks, readings, discussions, panels, and more. There are author talks and readings on a wide-ranging array of topics, from food to architecture and futurism to film, poetry and biography – really, anything that captures our interest and imagination!

Coming up in January:

Saturday, January 30, 4pm
RMB 65, includes a drink
AUTHOR TALK with Adam Williams: The Book of the Alchemist

Adam Williams, Beijing -based businessman turned writer, has until recently been best known for his historical novels set in China. In his latest novel, The Book of the Alchemist, Adam has turned to Spain in a story that links two ideologically torn worlds 1000 years apart, the Spanish Civil War and 11th Century Andaluz.

In a conversation with local Shanghai historian Paul French, Adam will talk about his book and explain the reasons why he has branched into medieval European history to create an epic novel that is full of excitement, colour, adventure and romance, and which at the same time explores dark themes that are relevant to the world today.

Joining them will be Russian businessman, historian and Orientalist, Maxim Moskalev, formerly of the Oriental Studies Institute of Moscow University, where he headed the Komsomol (Communist Youth League) until the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Join us for what promises to be a fascinating conversation about ideologies and fanaticism and how extremes of religious or political belief can shake the fabric of a tolerant society – in the past as indeed the present.

Sunday, January 31, 4pm
RMB 65, includes a drink

OutLoud! The Shanghai Writers Literary Salon, curated and hosted by Kristin Bair O’Keeffe

Shanghai’s liveliest literary salon returns to the Glamour Bar in January.
For this cozy afternoon event, we're luring both up-and-coming and well-established writers from their lane houses, high-rises, coffee shop offices, and tingzijian to read and regale.

Two featured readers will read from works-in-progress, followed by a handful of open-mic readers. We promise an afternoon of rich, raw, inspiring prose, a few good guffaws, and a sneak peek into the mysterious labyrinth of the writer's creative process.

Out Loud! will surprise you, keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you wanting more.