Beautiful summer nights / 美麗的夏夜

大概是上帝知道我這個夏天很萎靡，便讓我接連著兩個週末都過著文藝美少女的生活，直到這一兩個星期，我才有每年夏天那種因為忙於喜歡的事物而欲罷不能的感覺。

God probably knew that I had been kind of downbeat this summer, so I was invited to participate in some arts gatherings during the past two weekends. Finally, I started to recall how wonderful it was to be busy with something I was crazy about and how I had to go on and on.

上個週末隨小蕙的紀錄片聯展下高雄，在可愛的高雄電影圖書館，和一群陌生的文藝愛好者，欣賞半年前一群上紀錄片研習課的老師完成的作品。現場的觀眾人數不多，但是大家對於片中的主題都深有感觸，雖然這些片都是老師們的第一次，質樸的技巧不掩情感的真摯。想到當初每一個人都為了單一的目標堅持到底的精神，怎麼說我都很感動。

Last weekend I went down to Kaohsiung with Huei for her documentary exhibition. In the lovely museum of films, we watched the documentaries made half a year ago by a group of teachers who had attended a film workshop. There weren't many viewers, but the themes spoke to everyone. It was a new experience for all the teachers, but the sincere feeling outshone their primitive skills. I was very touched on thinking how everyone had persisted for one single goal.

這個週末，旅居法國的Lilou回台灣來，受到大辣出版社的邀請，在誠品信義館舉辦一場去法國學漫畫的演講會。說到和Lilou的相識，其實是因為去年夏天買了一堆大辣出版的歐漫書籍，有些是經由Lilou翻譯，我便對她有了印象，好巧不巧，去年底的中時部落格大賽她也參加了，想不到今年還有機會親眼參加她的演講。

This weekend, Lilou, who now dwells in France, was invited by Dala Publisher to give a speech on studying Bandes Desinees in France. Speaking of my encounter with her, I first got to know her name in the books translated by her last summer. She also took part in the blog contest held by Chinatimes at the end of 2006. It was amazing that I had a chance to see her in person this year.

本來我對於信義誠品的巨大有些卻步，我喜歡有家庭味的小書店，所以每年去誠品的次數屈指可數，不過昨天的演講很小型，在推理館舉行，我們在有著木質地板的空間裡，被滿滿的書籍環繞著，這是我第一次參加書店裡的演講會，是很令人欣喜的經驗。因為是第一次和Lilou見面，心想等演講完再和她相認，雖然她在演講之中並不知道我有沒有出現，居然還提到我，我像小孩般又感動又開心，很久沒有被這樣鼓勵了。

I hadn't visited Eslite Bookstore, Hsin-y branch often because of its gigantic size. I go more for smaller bookstores, so I had had some doubts before yesterday evening. However, the speech yesterday was on a mini-scale, held in the detective novel room. In the room with wooden floor, we were surrounded by tons and tons of books. This was my first time going to a speech in a bookstore, and I have to say it was very delightful. I planned to go to Lilou after the talk, but she mentioned my name during the speech even thought she wasn't sure if I was there. Like a child, I was very very excited and moved. I hadn't been encouraged like that for a long time in art.

Lilou除了聊有關在法國讀漫畫的經驗，也不斷地告訴大家，藝術是讓大家認識台灣的另一種管道，她不但自己一直在這個領域耕耘，也相信台灣有許多有潛力的人才。我則看到一個很努力推動夢想的人，即使不是最具影響力的人物，但是她是充滿光芒的。連坐在我身旁的胖小弟都從頭到尾乖乖地把演講聽完了。

Lilou not only talked about her own experiences of studying B.D. in France but also telling us that art is a very efficient means of promoting Taiwanese culture. She has been working hard in this field and also believes that there are many people with potential in Taiwan. I saw in her a soul going all out for her belief. She might not be the most influential person, but she is definitely full of light. Even the little fat boy next to me sat through the whole speech!

演講後在和Lilou小聊的過程中，又和前一陣子剛做完畢業作的灰色獸相認，她帶著唯一一本付梓的作品，大家紛紛露出讚嘆的眼光，希望就在不久的將來，她能找到出版社，讓我們每一個人都能擁有她的作品，甚至在現場便趕緊把她推向出版社主編呢！

After the speech, I had a very short chat with Lilou and then came forward another young artist—Grey Monster, who had just finished her book for graduation from college. She had with her the only printed book, and everyone wowed at its quality. We prayed hard that she would find a publisher soon and then we each of us would own a copy of her book. We even pushed her forward to the editor present!

和Lilou道別之後，我和灰色獸繞出一間又一間的書屋，我說，這些書真叫人興奮，不過我最希望的當然是，有一天印著我名字的書就擺在上頭，她心有所感的同意，然後我們一路走到車站，一路討論夢想，我還可以想像有一天她去法國唸書的遠景。

Upon saying goodbye to Lilou, Gray Monster and I walked out of rooms and rooms of books. I said, I was so excited to see these books, but I dreamed of seeing one with my name on it one day. She nodded hard at my words. On our way to the metro station, we chatted about our art dreams, and I even imagined her going to France for further studies one day.

美麗的夏夜裡，我如此深刻地記起自己對很多人許過，要繼續畫畫的承諾，更重要的是，這是我對自己的期待和要求。還好，我的身邊有這麼多還有夢想的人。

At beautiful summer nights, I thought of the promise I had made to so many people, that is, I have to go on painting. What's more important, it's what I expect of myself. Fortunately, there are still around me so many people who dream.

Lilou的歐漫介紹網站是：

The link to Lilou's introduction on European Bandes Dessinees:

http://mypaper.pchome.com.tw/news/lilou

Lilou的漫畫手札網站是：

The link to Lilou's works:

http://blog.roodo.com/lilou/

灰色獸的作品介紹：

The link to Gray Monster's works:

http://www.heyshow.com/browsing/users.asp?id=8163