BALLOONS Lit. Journal Launched for Youngsters

By Peter Lee

Peter Lee, currently the Panel Chair of English at Ying Wa Primary School, founded an independent online literary journal for young people titled BALLOONS Lit. Journal (BLJ). The name of this magazine comes from Lee’s drawings of balloon-like figures with faces, which he makes on students’ work along with his markings. The logo of the magazine incorporates a trademark drawing of his.

Since the launch of its website in November 2014, BLJ has released three issues in both downloadable and online-reading formats, featuring works from first-timers to established artists such as award-winning photographer Izabela Urbaniak and world-renowned poet John Foster.

“It certainly gives me a sense of satisfaction and fulfils my sense of duty as a poet and educator,” says Lee. “To celebrate the beauty of English and the arts is definitely the first aim of establishing this magazine. And I’m more than honoured to be able to gather excellent works from people all around the world and from all walks of life.”

Having been a front-line educator in Hong Kong for over a decade, Lee observed that Hong Kong needed an international literary journal for young readers. “We do have a few high quality literary magazines in Hong Kong, in print and online, yet none of them targets young readers. When I showed students the works I publish in BLJ, they were amazed by their wisdom and creativity because these poems, stories or even artworks are nothing like those they find in their textbooks. And I hope that one day these little readers will be inspired enough to submit their own work to BLJ.”

Lee is delighted that the BLJ Advisory Board has expanded to include academics and experienced educators including the Assistant Dean (Experiential Learning) at the HKU Faculty of Education, Dr Gary Harfitt, and that BLJ will receive funding from the Hong Kong Teachers Dream Fund for the next three years in recognition of this endeavour. As BLJ is a free online platform, Lee hopes to receive more support from other people, especially those in the field of education who may find inspiration from this pure labour of love.

www.balloons-lit-journal.com