Odes to Spring: A Sino-French Poetry Symphony in Paris
▲The "Odes to Spring" Sino-Foreign Poetry Exchange held on Feb 21 focused on the fusion of poetry and music.[Photo/Paris Chinese Cultural Center]
Paris celebrated the poetic spirit of the Chinese New Year as the "Odes to Spring" Sino-Foreign Poetry Exchange took place at the Paris Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 21, 2026.
Nearly 100 guests from the Chinese and French art worlds, cultural institutions, and media gathered to witness the intersection and resonance of poetry across different cultures.
In his opening address, Wang Meng, director of the Paris Chinese Cultural Center, emphasized the significance of hosting the poetry exchange during the Spring Festival season. He said that the event aimed to showcase the aesthetic spirit and cultural vitality of contemporary China to the international community.
"The emotions and imagination carried by poetry embody our best wishes for a vibrant and striving new year, resonating perfectly with the enterprising spirit of the Year of the Horse," Wang Meng said.
He described the event as both a contemporary expression of fine traditional Chinese culture and a profound intercultural dialogue, allowing the audience to experience the mutual appreciation between Chinese and French cultures through the fusion of poetry and music.
The event focused on the fusion of poetry and music. Poets Ouyang Jianghe, Shu Cai, and Xu Jiumei presented the diverse facets of contemporary Chinese poetry. They were joined on stage by three French poetry enthusiasts, Sophie Tedeschi, Elise Leledy, and Georgies Srour, allowing the poetic flow to move naturally between French and Mandarin. A highlight of the evening was a special moment when the celebrated poet Adonis and Ouyang Jianghe recited one of Adonis's poems dedicated to Shanghai in Arabic and Chinese respectively, their voices creating a profound dialogue.
▲Paris celebrated the poetic spirit of the Chinese New Year as the "Odes to Spring" Sino-Foreign Poetry Exchange took place at the Paris Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 21, 2026.[Photo/Paris Chinese Cultural Center]
The performances at the event integrated the rhythms of nature with the human experience. Traditional Chinese musical instruments — including the guqin, xiao, and xun — provided a subtle and elegant soundscape that complemented the spoken word.
Beyond the stage, an interactive AI ink-wash painting experience area allowed attendees to see their own improvised lines of poetry transformed into ink art in real-time via AI. A calligraphy experience zone also proved popular, letting French participants appreciate the beauty of Chinese characters.
Poet Dominique-Jeanne Perrin remarked on the profound power of poetry, stating it belongs to the world and unites people in their shared pursuit of beauty. Monique Viscogliosi noted the seamless blend of poetry and music, saying that even without understanding every word, the emotion and rhythm conveyed the work's warmth and tension.
The event was a key part of the "Nihao! China" – "Odes to Spring" Poetry and Tourism Promotion series organized by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Running from Feb 20 to March 1, 2026, the series travels to Paris, Belgrade, and Budapest, using poetry, song, calligraphy, and music as a platform for intercultural dialogue.
▲Paris celebrated the poetic spirit of the Chinese New Year as the "Odes to Spring" Sino-Foreign Poetry Exchange took place at the Paris Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 21, 2026.[Photo/Paris Chinese Cultural Center]
▲Paris celebrated the poetic spirit of the Chinese New Year as the "Odes to Spring" Sino-Foreign Poetry Exchange took place at the Paris Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 21, 2026.[Photo/Paris Chinese Cultural Center]
▲Paris celebrated the poetic spirit of the Chinese New Year as the "Odes to Spring" Sino-Foreign Poetry Exchange took place at the Paris Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 21, 2026.[Photo/Paris Chinese Cultural Center]
▲Paris celebrated the poetic spirit of the Chinese New Year as the "Odes to Spring" Sino-Foreign Poetry Exchange took place at the Paris Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 21, 2026.[Photo/Paris Chinese Cultural Center]