Home is where we grow, find laughter, and build strength. It’s a place where creativity becomes a remedy for hopelessness. For over a week, China became that home for me as I explored Beijing and Hebei with international poets and esteemed Chinese poets. The experience was transformative, offering a deep sense of connection and belonging.
In Beijing, I had the privilege of attending translation and reading events at the Beijing Normal University and the Lu Xun Arts Institute, where artistry thrived in every detail. From the delicate crockery to the ceremonial tea and the mountains of poetry, the craftsmanship was undeniable. I realized that being a poet in China means belonging to an esteemed, almost immortal, community. The opportunity to translate Chinese poetry into Luganda and Lumasaaba, while collaborating with Professor Lan Lan and Li Xing Chen to translate my poetry into Chinese, was deeply enriching. Some words, like “sea” or “Mother Christmas,” posed challenges, reflecting how poetry is shaped by cultural, historical, and social contexts. This complexity only made the experience more meaningful.
The hospitality in China was extraordinary, with every meal featuring at least fifteen dishes. Despite the abundance of food, which often included meat and fats, the Chinese remain remarkably youthful and healthy—largely due to their active lifestyles, where bicycles are a common mode of transport. I was struck by the sight of bicycles, respectfully parked in public spaces, never stolen, reflecting a strong sense of community trust and ethos.
When I visited Hebei, its mountainous terrain and extreme temperatures reminded me of Kisoro or Kabale in Uganda. The familiar landscapes, coupled with the village’s rich tapestry of stories and chants, made me feel deeply connected to the place. It was an indescribable experience that I hope to one day share with my family.
Thanks to the invitation from Jami Proctor-Xu to attend two international poetry events in China, my life has been transformed. I now embrace a sense of pride in being a poet that I hadn’t fully felt before. In China, literature commands a level of respect I’ve never encountered elsewhere. Their profound literary heritage served as an antidote to the exhaustion and disillusionment I had felt, and being part of that world was uplifting in every sense.
The poets I met during this journey redefined my sense of purpose, and for that, I am deeply grateful.