Tomorrow (Volume II): The First Tomorrow. Eerguna Chinese Poetry Biennial Exhibition 2003-2004

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 significant impact in the poetry and literary circles 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 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 of Eerguna to hold the first "First Chinese Language Poetry Biennial Exhibition" domestically. This exhibition featured two prestigious awards in its "Biennial Prize" — the "Art Contribution Award" and the "Biennial Poet Award." In addition to trophies and 10,000 yuan in cash, the prize included a 200-acre "Grassland Private Pasture," making it a highly talked-about 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 Sanxiang Metropolis Daily, as well as CCTV, Sina News, NetEase, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily Online, Guangming News, and more.
The recently published second volume of "Tomorrow" is the first "Tomorrow·Eerguna Chinese Language Poetry Biennial Exhibition Special Issue," compiled over nearly a year by a editorial board consisting of renowned poets and critics such as Lan Dazi, 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 focused on active, accomplished, and highly exploratory middle-aged and young poets with strong development potential. Due to the theme's regional focus, 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 representative, with the number of participants roughly reflecting 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 influential figures or emerging talents 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 public debut with new works for the first time.
The book also includes resumes, poetic philosophies, relevant reviews, and large-scale photos of all participating poets, as well as award speeches for the "Biennial Prize" 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. This significantly enhances the reading and collectible value of the second volume.