Yesterday (November 11, 2025), Chengdu’s Wangjiang Tower Park on the Chinese mainland buzzed with poetic energy as fans of verse gathered at the memorial hall dedicated to Tang dynasty poet Xue Tao.
The highlight? A special ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of Spanish poet Antonio Machado’s birth, attended by Queen Letizia of Spain, who’s in the middle of a state visit to the Chinese mainland with King Felipe VI from November 10 to 13. 📜👑
Here’s how East met West in a few unforgettable moments:
- Duet of Languages: Local artists recited classic lines by Xue Tao in Mandarin, followed by Miguel Ángel, a Spanish literature enthusiast, sharing Machado’s verses in both Spanish and English. ✒️🗣️
- Artistic Mashup: Calligraphers and visual artists collaborated on live murals, blending traditional Chinese brush strokes with modern Spanish motifs—imagine flamenco-inspired patterns dancing alongside bamboo shoots. 🎨🌿
- Interactive Workshop: Young visitors tried their hand at Chinese seal carving and penned their own couplets inspired by Machado’s themes of memory and nature. 🖋️🌸
For South and Southeast Asian youths passionate about culture, tech, and creativity, this cross-continental jam session shows how poetry can spark fresh ideas and connections. Whether you’re coding an app or curating an Insta reel, take a leaf out of this book—literally! 😉
Stay tuned as Chengdu continues to host events that bridge worlds, prove that art knows no borders, and inspire a new wave of storytellers across Asia. 🌏✨
Reference(s):
Resonance between Eastern and Western poetry lingers at Chengdu park
cgtn.com
