On February 7th, China Cultural Center in Stockholm was transformed into a meeting point for poetry and art. At 1:00 PM, the workshop “You are poet too – Interactive Art Project” commenced. The artist duo Lam & Cherry guided the audience into the poetic world of the Chinese language. At 4:00 PM, renowned Swedish poet Bengt Berg, alongside several other Swedish poets, presented an inspiring poetry evening, infusing words with new life through sound and music.
Reflections of Poems Art Exhibition
When Swedish Poetry Meets Chinese Ink Painting
Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors were immediately enveloped in a tranquil and profound atmosphere. Reflections of Poems Art Exhibition draws inspiration from the poems of the esteemed Swedish poet Bengt Berg, where the Chinese artists Lam & Cherry, employing their unique ink wash artistic language, give visual form to these culturally transcendent verses.
Within the exhibition, the contemplations on nature, time, and the human condition found in Berg’s poetry resonate wonderfully with Lam & Cherry’s contemporary ink wash creations. The gradation of ink tones, the weight of brushstrokes, and the artistic conception of blank space not only serves as a visual interpretation of the poetry but also constitute an independent artistic recreation. The Nordic clarity of Swedish poetry and the Eastern subtlety of Chinese ink wash collide here, creating a unique aesthetic experience.
Writing Poetry with Pen and Ink:
You are poet too – Interactive Art Project
A special highlight of the event was the interactive workshop “You are poet too – Interactive Art Project”. The artists Lam & Cherry prepared brushes, rice paper, and ink for the audience, inviting everyone to begin with Bengt Berg’s line “Av skog är du kommen…” (“From the forest you have come…”) and freely continue writing their own poem in Swedish using traditional Chinese calligraphy methods.
At the workshop, some of the Swedish participants held Chinese brushes for the first time, carefully placing Swedish words onto the rice paper. The ink spread and bled on the paper, forming unique textures that intertwined with the poetry within each person’s heart. A young participant said with a smile, “I never thought I could write Swedish poetry with a Chinese brush. This tactile sensation makes the words feel alive.”
Lam & Cherry guided participants on how to use the dryness, wetness, lightness, and darkness of the ink to express emotion. They explained, “Ink wash is not merely a tool; it possesses poetry in itself. When combined with Swedish poetry, a new dialogue emerges between two ancient cultural traditions.”
Poetry Evening:
When Words Are Awakened by Sound
At 4:00 PM, the atmosphere at China Cultural Center in Stockholm shifted from visual silence to an auditory feast. The moving voices of the Swedish poetry scene gathered here. Poets Bengt Berg, Anders Björnsson, Bengt O. Björklund, and Leif Olsson, together with singer and songwriter Anders Karlsson, took the stage, delivering a rich and emotionally sincere poetry evening.
There was no lavish stage, only simple lighting, a few chairs, and a guitar. Yet, as the poets began their recitations, the entire space was instantly filled with the magic of language. The poets not only recited their own original works but also paid tribute to Swedish literary masters, passionately performing classic pieces by two of Sweden’s most important poets: Tomas Tranströmer and Gustaf Fröding.
Swedish poet Bengt Berg and Chinese artist Lam. Standing side by side, they recited one of Berg’s poems in Swedish.
Artist Cherry presented her own original poetry. Her verses, gentle yet powerful, built a poetic bridge across East and West with exquisite imagery.
The most surprising and heartwarming segment of the evening came from the daughter of the artist duo Lam & Cherry. This young poet confidently stepped forward and recited a children’s poem she had written herself in a clear, childish voice, making the entire audience smile warmly and respond with the warmest applause.
Even more delightful was the presentation of some poems through guitar accompaniment and singing. The fusion of music and poetry allowed the words to transcend linguistic boundaries, striking directly at the emotional core of the listeners. The audience immersed themselves in the rhythm of the poetry, many closing their eyes and listening, nodding slightly with the rise and fall of the verses.
After the evening concluded, the poets engaged in in-depth discussions with the audience, exploring the challenges of poetry creation and translation, as well as the similarities and differences between Chinese and Swedish literary traditions. Berg expressed, “Poetry is a bridge for our mutual understanding. Today’s dialogue with Chinese art has shown me new possibilities for my own work.”
Reflections of Poems Art Exhibition will continue until February 28th. The “Poetry Wall” created during the workshop will also remain on display as part of the exhibition.
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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