Sri Lankan-born writer, journalist and humorist, Nury Vittachi, claims that Hong Kong’s international literary festival, which he co-founded, is sacking him after he accused the board of racism and questionable business practices.
As well as being an acclaimed writer, Vittachi is the personable face of the Man Hong Kong Literary Festival, the largest festival on the Asian literary circuit. Much loved and hated in Hong Kong for his satirical columns, Vittachi is known to local and international audiences for his humorous crime novels and witty stage presence.
I can’t claim disinterest in the uproar about Vittachi’s claims. Vittachi co-founded the festival seven years ago with me and Malaysian writer Shirley Geok-Lin Lim, who was at that time head of English at the University of Hong Kong. Lim moved on immediately after the first festival, and I left after the second, after complaining about the same business practices that Vittachi is now spilling the beans about. Those practices had five years to be reformed since I left.
Vittachi is spitting the dummy after years of silence, claiming that the festival we established as a not-for-profit company is run and dominated by the business interests of one entrepreneur, Peter Gordon. With Vittachi’s exit, the festival’s Board will be left with just four people, all of whom have some interest in the success of Gordon’s businesses. With Vittachi, Gordon started a publishing company called Chameleon Press. His Chinese-Canadian wife, Elaine Leung, runs an online bookselling business called Paddyfield.com. Gordon and Leung together run the festival with just two other decision-makers, Rosemary Sayer, an Australian public relations professional, and Dave McKirdy, a British poet and car mechanic. Sayer and McKirdy are both published by Chameleon Press.
Why is Vittachi suddenly speaking out? He no longer needs Gordon to publish his books, having found larger international publishers. He might have continued to work alongside Gordon if Gordon had not elbowed him out of an initiative that Vittachi claims was his idea. The initiative was to create a literary prize for writers in Asia that carried the prestige of the Booker. When Man put up its hand to fund the prize, the Man Asian Literary Prize was announced, but Vittachi was excluded from the judging panel. He is furious.
Intellectual property is difficult to retain.
What is wrong with Gordon running the festival? He manages it well. But he has maneuvered himself into the position where his business interests can direct festival decisions. No other sponsor has a vote, let alone two, on the Board.
What is wrong with Gordon electing himself to the committee organizing the literary prize, and excluding Vittachi? Other excellent judges are on the panel, including Australian writer Nicholas Jose. Gordon, a canny businessman, had no background in publishing before his association with Vittachi. Vittachi is the writer, not Gordon.
To follow the furor, visit Vittachi’s blog, http://www.misterjam.com and read his entry dated 25 January 2007.