When Du Fu’s poem on New Year’s Eve meets the modern creations of a Swedish poet, and when the ancient melody of “Song of the Yue Boatman” resonates in the same space as Kunqu opera—poetry and spring have never been so closely intertwined. On the afternoon of February 5, 2026, China Cultural Center in Stockholm was filled with warmth. Over a hundred Swedish sinologists, poets, artists, magazine editors, Chinese language learners, and culture enthusiasts gathered here to welcome a spring celebration mediated by poetry.
The Language of Poetry Transcends Borders
Coinciding with the opening of Reflections of Poems Art Exhibition at China Cultural Center in Stockholm, poems by Swedish poet Bengt Berg and works by Chinese artistsduo Lam&Cherry adorned the venue, blending elements of both cultures. Even before the poetry gathering began, guests were immersed in an atmosphere of poetry and art.
Renowned Swedish poet Bengt Berg shared his decades-long connection with Chinese poetry in his speech. “Poetry is the code of civilization. When we interpret poetry in another language, we are also deciphering the soul of a nation.” Chinese artist duo Lam & Cherry, on the other hand, explored the power of poetry from a creative perspective.
A Dialogue Across Time, the Flow of Poetic Imagery
The carefully curated program of the poetry gathering resembled a poetic timeline scroll, spanning from ancient to modern times and from China to Sweden, showcasing the diverse faces of poetry. The host of the event, Xu Xiaojun, head of the Chinese Bridge Club (Stockholm Station), began by outlining the evolution of Chinese poetry for the audience—from the simplicity of the Book of Songs to the brilliance of Tang poetry, from the subtle elegance of Song lyrics to the diversity of modern poetry. His introduction provided foreign attendees with cultural context for the subsequent poetry recitations.
When Sanna Wengerek sang the ancient Song of the Yue Boatman, the melody from the waterside towns of southern China traveled across millennia, gently resonating in the Scandinavian winter. Recorded during the Han Dynasty, this folk song moved every listener with its pure expression of human emotion.
Later, Swedish youth Elliot Frennstedt recited Du Fu’s Recital of a Tang poem (Du Fu at the New Year Eve) by in Chinese, eloquently conveying the Tang poet’s reflections on the passage of time. Maria performed Wang Anshi’s The New Year Day, capturing the joy of the new spring. The festive sentiments of these two eras intertwined in a remarkable way.
Chinese-Swedish Fusion, Hearts Resonating Through Poetry
The most touching segment was the direct dialogue between Chinese and Swedish poetry. Swedish poet Bengt Berg recited his own work, Nine Red Roses in Reykjavik, candidly sharing that the inspiration for this poem came from the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu.
“The imagery and emotions in classical Chinese poetry have transcended time and space to become a source of inspiration for my own creations,” Berg revealed, highlighting a profound truth: cultural influence flows both ways. As Chinese poetry reaches the world, it also inspires new creations.
The recitation of Snow in Spring by Martin Eriksson showcased the grandeur of modern Chinese poetry, with its resonant Chinese pronunciation breathing new life into this classic work in a foreign land.
When Hao Jingxia and Swedish performer Folke Borgström presented a segment of the Kunqu opera The Peony Pavilion, the delicate movements and vocal artistry of traditional Chinese opera captivated the audience. This form of artistic expression, transcending linguistic understanding, conveyed Eastern aesthetics in the most direct way.
After the Poetry, the Exchange Continues
The poetry gathering concluded with the lingering melodies of Kunqu opera, but the story of cultural exchange continued. As Xu Xiaojun remarked at the end, “Today, we welcome spring with poetry, and we also connect with one another through poetry.”
This spring poetry celebration was not merely a recitation of poems or an appreciation of art but a profound cultural dialogue. Every performance was carefully selected, each poem carried specific cultural significance, and every performer served as a bridge between the two cultures.
After the event, many attendees lingered, gathering around the performers to discuss poetry translation, the interpretation of imagery, and cultural similarities and differences. This spontaneous dialogue may well be the most precious outcome of cultural exchange.
The rhythms of poetry gradually faded, but spring had already arrived. This meeting of Chinese and Swedish poets and artists in Stockholm demonstrated that when different cultures engage with sincerity and respect, poetry can become the most beautiful common language.
In this era of globalization, such cultural exchanges not only enrich our understanding of the world but also deepen our understanding of ourselves—for it is in dialogue with others that we hear our own voices more clearly. China Cultural Center in Stockholm’s Happy Spring Festival series continues to offer Swedish audiences diverse windows into Chinese culture.
斯德哥尔摩中国文化中心
China Cultural Center in Stockholm
开放时间：周二至周六，10:00 – 16:00
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 -16:00
地址/Address:
Västra Trädgårdsgatan 2, 111 53 Stockholm
官网/Website: https://www.cccstockholm.org
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