The rhythmic elegance of Arabic verses intertwined with the evocative depth of Chinese poetry at Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) on May 12. As a part of the 2026 International Youth Poetry Festival (China-Arab States Session), the campus poetry event brought together over 40 young poets, writers, and scholars from China and the Arab world to foster intercultural dialogue through the universal language of art.
The choice of SYSU as the venue carries significant historical weight. The university boasts a storied poetic and academic lineage, once home to modern literary giant Guo Moruo and the master historian Chen Yinque.
Liu Chenggong, Chairman of the SYSU University Council, emphasized that the gathering was more than a mere cultural showcase. "This event serves as a catalyst for ongoing Sino-Arab dialogue," Liu stated. "It allows traditional friendships to radiate new vitality among the youth of our nations."
Liu Chenggong, Chairman of the SYSU University Council, delivers a speech.
The event featured 18 poets from China and the Arab world who took the stage to read their original poems. These recitations, performed in both Chinese and Arabic, explored themes ranging from nature and memory to the complexities of modern urban life.
"Even without a command of the Arabic language, one can feel the profound devotion in their expressions and tone," observed Professor Xie Youshun, Chair of the Guangdong Writers Association and a professor at SYSU's Department of Chinese Language and Literature. "Among all forms of passion, the love for language is the most profound. Hearts connected through verse are unbreakable."
Professor Xie Youshun presents his calligraphy work to poets at the campus poetry event.
Manal Al-Khammash, a Jordanian doctoral student who assisted in the exchange, echoed this sentiment, noting that a "strong emotional resonance" was palpable among the participants, effectively transcending the language barrier.
Manal Al-Khammash at SYSU
A highlight of the event was the extensive involvement of SYSU students who graced the stage with traditional Chinese Pipa performances and vocal renditions. Students from the School of International Studies played a pivotal role, utilizing their linguistic expertise to facilitate dialogue and translation.
Professor Ma Yanzhe, Head of the Arabic Department at SYSU's School of International Studies, highlighted the educational value of the event, which allowed students to engage with contemporary Arab thought, effectively turning the campus into a space for vibrant cultural interaction.
For A Luo Shi Luo, an Arabic major and student volunteer, the experience provided personal inspiration. Having spent days translating the biographies of local Lingnan poets, she found a new perspective on creativity.
"I used to worry that my translations couldn't capture the rhythm of the original, or that I was too busy to write my own poetry," she reflected. "But interacting with these poets, I realized that many of them find their most satisfying inspiration during their busiest, most chaotic moments."
Photographer: Zhang Langrui
