On March 3rd, around 300 people - predominantly Chinese students - came to Fudan University to enjoy "Hello Hauge" - a lyrical and musical performance of poems by the late Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge, whose work is now available in chinese translation.
From the left: Juni Dahr, Thomas Strønen and Tore Brunborg performing "Hello Hauge" at Fudan University on March 3rd
The Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge, whose 100th anniversary was celebrated in Beijing, Kunming, Xi'an and Lanzhou last year, was inspired by Chinese poetry all his life. In connection with a Chinese translation of his work recently being published in Beijing, the Norwegian artists Juni Dahr, Tore Brunborg and Thomas Strønen came to Fudan University in Shanghai to perform "Hello Hauge".
The audience was served a powerful performace consisting of beautiful poetry, accompanied by a delightful mix of saxophone, flute and drums. And judging from both the silence during the show, and the noise of the applause afterwards, they liked what they heard and saw.
Hello Hauge on stage in Norway
Olav H. Hauge lived a laid-back life as a fruit farmer in western Norway and was greatly inspired by the simplicity of Chinese poetry. His poems talk about nature and everyday life, yet they are deep and modern; they have been translated into many languages and continue to have large influence.
"Hello Hauge" was originally commissioned for a poetry festival in Norway in 2008, where it received great revews - one newspaper characterized it as "gourmet food for the soul".
It is the Norwegian professor Harald Bøckman and the Chinese poet Xi Chuan who have translated Hauge's poems into Chinese.
More about "Hello Hauge"
More about the artists
Photos of the artists
Questions can be sent to Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai