Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the poetry event titled “Poetry Celebrating the Yangtze: The Port of the Yangtze,” organized by the Poetry Magazine Society and the Yangtze Culture Promotion Association in Shanghai.
During the opening remarks, Li Shaojun, the editor-in-chief of Poetry Magazine, highlighted the deep-rooted importance of the Yangtze River to both ancient and modern Chinese civilization. He remarked, “The Yangtze is not just the mother river of the Chinese nation; it is also where Chinese poetry was born.” Li pointed out that the modern era of Chinese poetry began in Shanghai, notably with Hu Shi’s publication of eight vernacular poems in the second volume of “New Youth” back in 1917. “Our event starts in Shanghai and will extend to cities like Nanjing, Wuhan, and Chongqing,” he added. “We aim to revisit the roots of modern poetry and explore its journey into the heart of China, drawing fresh poetic energy from the Yangtze.”
Miao Kegou, editor-in-chief of the Xinmin Evening News and head of the Shanghai Writers Association Poetry Committee, shared his views on Shanghai’s impressive contributions to modern poetry and its dynamic social activities in recent years. He noted that the city boasts over 200 poetry societies and hosts regular events such as the Shanghai Citizens Poetry Festival, the Shanghai International Poetry Festival, and “International Poetry Night” during the Shanghai Book Fair. Miao emphasized that Shanghai should prioritize innovation and uniqueness in the next century of modern poetry.
After the opening ceremony, a seminar titled “Poetry Celebrating the Yangtze: Cultural Insights into Shanghai Poetry Creation” kicked off. An Liang, vice president of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association, introduced his poetry collection “Saluting Every Tributary of the Yangtze,” illustrating the strong connection between his work and the theme of the Yangtze. He asserted that to write about Shanghai is to engage with the river, emphasizing how Yangtze culture profoundly shapes Shanghai’s poetry, which he considers its root and soul.
Zhang Yujia, vice president of Shanghai Literature Magazine, reflected on her personal experiences and poetry readings, highlighting the distinct characteristics of Shanghai poetry, which embraces openness and the voices of everyday people. She noted that poetry can encapsulate an individual’s inner growth through different life stages, enriched by cultural context.
Scholar and academic curator Chen Bingjie shared his insights on the journey of the Yangtze, tracing its path from the turbulent upstream regions through the serene southern water towns, ultimately merging with the sea. He suggested that this confluence creates an atmosphere of inclusivity and openness in Shanghai’s culture and poetry, which has fostered the city’s pioneering role in modern poetry over the last century.
Professor Xu Daojun, from the Chinese Department at Shanghai University, added that the Yangtze’s arrival in Shanghai has sparked the growth of Haipai culture and modern sensibilities, breathing new life into a global perspective.
It’s significant that Shanghai serves as the first stop for the events themed “Poetry Celebrating the Yangtze: The Port of the Yangtze.” Unlike past projects that followed the river from its source to Shanghai, this initiative begins in Shanghai, aiming to trace back to the river’s origins and rediscover the cultural essence of both the Yangtze and Chinese poetry.
