Tomorrow (Volume 2, First "Tomorrow·Erguna" Chinese Poetry Biennial Exhibition)

Author: Tan Kexiu (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The "Tomorrow" series, positioned as a pioneering reading anthology 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 publication "Today," the series is edited by renowned poet and urban designer Tan Kexiu, focusing on publishing works by the most influential and talented middle-aged and young poets in the Chinese poetry scene. The second volume of "Tomorrow" quickly made a significant impact 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 prominent poets and critics in Beijing, and was covered extensively by dozens of influential domestic and international media outlets. 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 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 "Grassland Private Pasture," making it a highly event in the Chinese poetry scene. This attracted coverage and commentary from 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 Online, and more.
The recently published second volume of "Tomorrow" is the first "Tomorrow·Eerguna Chinese Poetry Biennial Exhibition Special Issue," compiled over nearly a year by a 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 middle-aged and young poets with notable achievements, strong exploration spirit, and potential for development. Due to the theme's connection to regional environments, the participating poets were grouped into nine categories based on their regions: 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 selections 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, determining the final selections 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, Lulu, Li Jianchun, Sanzi, 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 public debut with new works after years of absence.
The book also includes resumes, poetic philosophies, relevant reviews, and large-scale photos of all participating poets, as well as acceptance speeches for the "Biennial Award" winners and interviews with the "200-Acre Pasture" recipients, 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 guides for readers to understand and interpret the complex state of contemporary Chinese poetry writing, enhancing the reading and collectible value of the second volume.