Prelude to Water Melody

"Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again. The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane."

In this mesmerizing recitation, Beijing People's Art Theatre actor and Chinese Poetry Ambassador Yan Yansheng brings Su Shi's timeless Song Ci, "Prelude to Water Melody," to life. Written during a Mid-Autumn festival of drinking and longing for his brother, the poem transcends mere melancholy. Yan highlights how the poet transforms his yearning into an ethereal and broad-minded philosophy, capturing the profound beauty of human gatherings and separations beneath the moonlight.

The "ECHOES OF FRIENDSHIP" 2026 Chinese Poetry Recital by International Friends in Beijing warmly welcomes you to join. Come share your voice, immerse yourself in the beauty of Chinese culture, and connect with the shared emotions that bind us all.