雨燕 Apus Vol.2 Symbiosis 共生

For the second issue of Apus, we take "Symbiosis" as our theme. Starting from the twin provocations of "with whom do we exist?" and "how do we survive together?", we re-examine this tension-filled concept.

In an era where borders are increasingly reinforced and the world drifts toward fragmentation, this issue strips "symbiosis" of its idealized veneer. Instead, we place it within a more visceral reality—one marked by conflict and imbalance—to map the intimacies and the fissures that arise when humanity encounters the "other." These works span diverse times and geographies, exploring how individuals navigate their positions within multifaceted relationships and coexist with a world in flux.  

This issue brings together poetry, fiction, and visual art from a global array of voices, alongside exclusive interviews with Zheng Enbo and Allison King, offering a window into the minds of a new generation of creators. By featuring works in both Chinese and English, we allow multiple languages and modes of expression to occupy the same space—sometimes drawing near in harmony, sometimes pulling apart in friction.  

Amidst uncertainty and constant change, Apus treats "symbiosis" not as a conclusion, but as an open-ended question. Through continuous recalibration and dialogue, we seek out the fragile, possible threads of connection.  

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Apus雨燕 is an independent literary magazine and creators’ community with a globally based team and roots in the Bay Area. Named after the swift, a migratory bird, It focuses on the diasporic experience, exploring themes of identity, cultural conflict, and memory. Scattered across the world, we are drawn together by a shared love of literature and art. Home lingers in the spaces between words, in the shadows of ink, in the weight of paper. With Apus, we craft a small sanctuary, inscribed with the traces of time and space.

2026-05-22

Apus Literature

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