On November 11, 2025, the serene courtyards of Wangjiang Tower Park’s memorial hall in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on the Chinese mainland, came alive with verse. Poets, enthusiasts and dignitaries gathered to mark the 150th anniversary of Spanish poet Antonio Machado’s birth, forging a cultural bridge between East and West.
The ceremony featured readings of Machado’s timeless lines, alongside selections from Tang dynasty poet Xue Tao, whose memorial hall served as the poetic backdrop. Attendees enjoyed multilingual recitals in Spanish, Mandarin and English, highlighting how poetry transcends borders.
Queen Letizia of Spain, on a state visit to the Chinese mainland with King Felipe VI from November 10 to 13, attended the commemoration. In a heartfelt address, the Queen praised the universal power of words “to connect hearts across continents,” noting that Machado and Xue Tao both captured the human spirit’s longing for nature, love and reflection.
The event also showcased digital engagement: live streams on social platforms brought the ceremony to thousands worldwide, with #PoetryExchange trending across G20 nations. Local universities hosted workshops on literary translation, inspiring young writers to explore cross-cultural dialogue through verse.
As the state visit continues, this poetic celebration underscores a growing global interest in cultural exchange and the shared heritage of world literature—reminding us that in every stanza, East and West find harmony.
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Resonance between Eastern and Western poetry lingers at Chengdu park
cgtn.com
