The 2026 World Great Rivers Poetry Festival and the 10th Baidicheng International Poetry Festival commenced in Chongqing on September 14, 2026. The event gathered approximately 120 poets and writers from nearly 20 countries, representing significant river basins such as the Nile, Mississippi, and Thames, alongside various Chinese poets from different ethnic communities.
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The opening ceremony featured multilingual poetry recitals, including contributions from recipients of prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, the Attila József Prize, and the Montreal International Poetry Prize. The program integrated poetry with dance, vocal performances, and traditional folk art. A notable moment occurred when around 20 guests from countries along major river basins jointly recited two classical Chinese poems, "Bu Suan Zi: I Live at the Head of the Yangtze" and "Early Departure from Baidicheng," eliciting enthusiastic reactions from the audience.
Located in a national historical and cultural city, Chongqing boasts a rich poetic heritage. An old saying highlights this: "All poets enter Shu; upon reaching the Three Gorges, poetry is inevitable." Recently, the city has advanced initiatives like the Yangtze River National Cultural Park (Chongqing Section) and the Three Gorges National Archaeological Site Park, establishing 28 cultural themes and 69 cultural symbols along the river, which set a solid foundation for the festival.
Mingdi, a Chinese American bilingual poet and translator, spoke about the inspiration drawn from the Yangtze River civilization, asserting that themes surrounding great rivers foster mutual understanding among diverse cultures. U.S. poet Gregory Pardlo, a 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner, emphasized that poetry transcends boundaries and flows like a river, connecting historical works to contemporary writers across the globe.
Organizers indicated that this year's Baidicheng International Poetry Festival introduced a new structure, combining the opening in the central urban area of Chongqing with a main venue in Fengjie, aiming to elevate the festival's status from a local to an international event.
Over the next six days, participating poets will journey down the Yangtze River, visiting various historical and cultural sites, including the ancient town of Ciqikou and Zhangfei Temple. Their experiences will serve as a source of creative inspiration, enabling them to capture the essence of the river's cultural legacy in their poetry while contributing to a collective vision for a shared future for humanity.