Tomorrow. Volume 2: The First "Tomorrow·Erguna" Chinese Poetry Biennial Exhibition

Author: Tan Kexiu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The "Tomorrow" series, positioned as a cutting-edge reading of Chinese poetry in the 21st century, has recently launched its highly anticipated second volume by Hunan Literature and Art Press. Inspired by the 1970s folk publication "Today," the series is edited by the renowned poet and urban designer Tan Kexiu, focusing on publishing the works of the most influential and talented young and middle-aged poets in the Chinese poetry scene. The second volume of "Tomorrow" quickly made a stir in the poetry and literary worlds with its fresh editorial philosophy, high standards, and exquisite design. The launch event at Beijing Wansheng Bookstore attracted over 30 famous poets and critics in Beijing, and dozens of influential domestic and international media covered the event. The development of "Tomorrow" is regarded as a pivotal event tied to the revival of Chinese poetry in the new century. In 2004, "Tomorrow" partnered with the beautiful grassland gem of Eerguna to hold the first "First Chinese Poetry Biennial Exhibition" domestically. The "Biennial Award" set up for this exhibition, including the "Art Contribution Award" and the "Biennial Poet Award," offered prizes not only of trophies and 10,000 yuan in cash but also a 200-acre "private grassland pasture," making it a highly talked-about event in the Chinese poetry scene. Over 100 media outlets, including Southern Metropolis Daily, Beijing News, Beijing Entertainment Express, Beijing Times, Oriental Morning News, China Reading News, Literature Weekly, Literary Weekly, China Business News, China Youth News, and Sanxi City News, as well as CCTV, Sina News, NetEase, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily Online, Guangming News, and more, reported and commented on the event.
The recently published second volume of "Tomorrow" is the first "Tomorrow·Eerguna Chinese Poetry Biennial Exhibition Special Issue," compiled over nearly a year by the editorial board composed of renowned poets and critics such as Lan Diezhi, Li Shaojun, Li Yawei, Yang Ke, Shen Qi, Yu Nu, Rong Guangqi, Sang Ke, Jing Wendong, and Tan Kexiu. The theme of this biennial exhibition is "Chinese Poetry Creation in Different Regional Environments," aiming to showcase the creative states of poets from various regions against the backdrop of global cultural homogenization. In terms of participants, the selection primarily considered active, accomplished, and highly exploratory young and middle-aged poets with strong development potential. Due to the theme's focus on regions, the participating poets were grouped into nine categories based on their locations: 1. Beijing Poetry Group; 2. North China Poetry Group (Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia); 3. Central China Poetry Group (Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi); 4. South China Poetry Group (Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macau); 5. Southeast China Poetry Group (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Taiwan); 6. Northeast China Poetry Group (Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang); 7. Southwest China Poetry Group (Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet); 8. Northwest China Poetry Group (Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang); 9. Overseas Poetry Group. To maintain the exhibition's quality and control the total number of participants, 72 poets were selected. Each province (including municipalities, autonomous regions, and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) was guaranteed at least one participant, with the number of slots roughly based on the strength of poets in different regions. However, due to the limited total number, some provinces could only send one participant, making the selection process extremely challenging. Even in Beijing, which sent nine poets, selecting the final participants was equally difficult. The selected poets are mostly important figures or emerging forces in the current Chinese poetry scene, such as Wang Jixin, Zang Di, Sun Wenbo, Yin Lichuan, Xu Jiang, Lu Lu, Li Jianchun, San Zi, Wang Xiaoni, Song Xiaoxian, Mo Mo, Pan Wei, Zhang Shuguang, Song Xiaojie, Yu Jian, Zhai Yongming, Ye Zhou, Ma Fei, Yan Li, Hu Xudong, and others. Some participating poets, who have long been on the fringes of the mainstream poetry scene, are making their debut with new works after years of silence.
The book also includes resumes, poetic philosophies, relevant reviews, and large-scale photos of all participating poets, as well as the award speeches for the "Biennial Award" winners and interviews with the "200-acre pasture winners" Xi Chuan and Yi Sha. It is worth mentioning that nine critics—Jiang Tao, Jing Wendong, Rong Guangqi, Xiang Weiguo, Cang Er, Wu Mingyue, Shi Guanghua, Shen Qi, and Li Shaojun—provided comprehensive reviews of each regional group, which will serve as excellent guidance for readers to understand and interpret the complex state of contemporary Chinese poetry writing. This greatly enhances the reading and collectible value of the second volume.