To promote fine traditional Chinese culture, spark students’ enthusiasm for learning classical poetry, and enrich campus cultural life, the 星有灵犀 Club at Shanghai Starriver Billingual School successfully hosted an Ancient Poetry Conference on May 28. Eight teams from different grades competed on the same stage, forging friendships through poetry. In the process of reciting classics and savoring poetic charm, they demonstrated solid literary literacy and youthful spirit.

The venue was filled with a warm atmosphere and eager anticipation. The site was tastefully decorated, and club members thoughtfully prepared snacks for all participants, allowing everyone to appreciate the beauty of poetry in a relaxed and pleasant environment. As the host announced the official start of the competition with the words,  a splendid poetic feast started.

The competition consisted of three progressive rounds, testing both participants’ poetry memorization and team coordination, from foundational knowledge to comprehensive application.

Round 1: “Complete the Couplet”

Contestants were required to fill in the missing lines of poems based on prompts. Faced with familiar yet challenging classic verses, participants remained calm and responded fluently. From the elegant romance of “诗经” to the grandeur of Tang poetry, from the subtle grace of Song poetry to the refreshing cadence of Yuan verse, every line embodied the romantic essence of the East, refined over millennia. The contestants’ solid knowledge earned rounds of applause from the audience, highlighting the enduring charm of Chinese poetry.

Round 2: “Literary Knowledge Quiz”

This segment demanded not only memorization of poetry but also understanding of poets’ life experiences, historical contexts, and related literary knowledge. Questions covered a wide range of topics, from Tang and Song poetry to historical allusions, and from literary schools to renowned works, fully testing the breadth and depth of participants’ knowledge. Faced with challenging questions, contestants stayed calm, thought actively, and gave their all with the spirit of ancient poets.

Round 3: “You Describe I Guess”

The most popular segment was undoubtedly Round 3, which pushed the competition to its climax. Contestants described poets or poems using keywords, life experiences, and stylistic features, while their teammates guessed the answers. Witty descriptions kept the audience laughing, and seamless teamwork drew admiration from all. The blend of tense competition and lighthearted interaction made learning ancient poetry more engaging, bringing traditional culture closer to students.

After three intense rounds, all teams demonstrated outstanding strength and high morale. Scores seesawed back and forth, and the final results were only revealed after the last round. Ultimately, the conference awarded the top three titles of 状元 (First Place), 榜眼 (Second Place), and 探花 (Third Place). The winning teams stood out thanks to their rich knowledge reserves, steady on-site performance, and seamless teamwork, earning enthusiastic applause and congratulations from the audience.

While the competition has drawn to a close, the inspiration and reflection sparked by poetry continue. As a bilingual international school, Shanghai Starriver Billingual School has always valued the integration of global perspectives and cultural heritage. Learning poetry is not just about memorizing classic lines, but also a key way to understand Chinese culture, history, and values. As students engage with diverse cultures, they also deepen their appreciation for the profound heritage of Chinese civilization through classical poetry.

Poetry nourishes the heart, and classics live forever. Moving forward, Shanghai Starriver Billingual School will continue to organize rich traditional cultural activities, building platforms for students to showcase themselves and learn from one another. These initiatives will help more students embrace and love the classics, growing under the nourishment of fine traditional Chinese culture. May students hold both the ambition and the cultural roots of China. May they embrace the wide world while upholding confidence and pride in Chinese culture.