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.