The fifth Chinese Poetry Festival opens in Hubei

Performers dressed in ancient costumes recite poetry at the opening gala of the fifth Chinese Poetry Festival in Yichang city, Hubei province, Sept 12, 2017. [Photo by Liu Shusong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The fifth Chinese Poetry Festival opened in Yichang city of Hubei province on Tuesday night, with participants enjoying a feast of poetry.

The festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture, the China Writers Association and Hubei Provincial People's Government.

Minister of Culture Luo Shugang, Deputy Minister of Culture Dong Wei, and Jidi Majia, vice-president of the China Writers Association, attended the opening ceremony.

Dong Wei said at the opening ceremony that China is a country of poetry, and boasts a long poetic tradition and brilliant poetic culture. He hopes that through the poetry festival, excellent traditional Chinese culture will be creatively promoted and the national spirit will be inspired.

Actors perform on the stage, Sept 12, 2017. [Photo by Liu Shusong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

An opening gala was staged, with poem chanting, singing, dancing and instrumental performances.

Poems by ancient poets such as Su Shi, Li Bai, Wang Zhihuan, Du Fu, Lu You and Bai Juyi were recited at the gala, along with representative works by contemporary poets, such as Wen Yiduo, Guo Moruo, Lin Huiyin and Ai Qing.

Two forums on poetry, a poetry music recitation event and other interactive activities will be held during the festival. The festival will run through Sept 17.

An actor performs on the stage, Sept 12, 2017.[Photo by Liu Shusong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

An actor performs on the stage, Sept 12, 2017. [Photo by Liu Shusong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Related: Poetry for all ages