On June 21st, during the 30th Beijing Book Fair, the premier ceremony of Fernando Rendon’s “The Song of Dream Land” translated by Cao Shuiand the World Poetry Future Seminar were successfully held. This event is guided by Shanxi Publishing and Media Group and hosted by Beiyue Literature and Art Publishing House. Cao Shui, the initiator of the Great Poetry Movement and the Poetry Film Movement, and Qiao Damo, the initiator of the Beijing Poetry School, had an on-site conversation. Jidi Majia, Director of the Poetry Committee of the Chinese Writers Association and member of the Executive Committee of the World Poetry Movement, Fernando Rendon, General Coordinator of the World Poetry Movement and Chairman of the Medellin International Poetry Festival, Ouyang Jianghe, a representative poet of Hazy Poetry and professor at Beijing Normal University, Lamberto Garzia, Chairman of the Italian Mondo Fluttuante Culture Association and translator of the Italian version of the Epic of Eurasia, and Roberto Aedo, a professor at the University of Chile and translator of the Spanish version of the Epic of Eurasia, participated in the discussion. Leaders including Wang Ruixia, Deputy General Manager and Chief Accountant of Shanxi Publishing and Media Group, Li Yan, Director of the Legal Department of Shanxi Publishing and Media Group, Han Xiyun, Director of the Inspection Office of the Party Committee of Shanxi Publishing and Media Group, Dong Runze, Deputy Director of the Publishing Business Department of Shanxi Publishing and Media Group, Jin Jinlong, Deputy Director of the Business Management Department of Shanxi Publishing and Media Group, and Liu Wenfei, Deputy Editor in Chief of Beiyue Literature and Art Publishing House attended the event.
“The Song of Dream Land” is a collection of short poems by Colombian poet Fernando Rendon and translated by Chinese poet Cao Shui, published by Beiyue Literature and Art Publishing House，China in May 2024. The Chinese book selects two hundred representative works of the author, which use elements such as mythology, history, and intelligence to reflect on the interweaving of war and peace, darkness and light, mythology and reality, with a distinct speculative color and a language style that combines romanticism and epic sense. Fernando is a representative poet in the Spanish poetry world, as well as the general coordinator of the World Poetry Movement and the chairman of the Medellin Poetry Festival. His works have a wide influence around the world and have received widespread praise from the Chinese poetry world.
Jidi Majia， Director of the Poetry Committee of the Chinese Writers Association， gave the opening speech to the event, acknowledging Fernando Rendon’s contributions in the World Poetry Movement and praising his poetry for its attention to vulnerable groups, respect for traditional culture, reflection on modern civilization, and concerns and warnings about international relations.
The author Fernando Rendon, General Coordinator of the World Poetry Movement， expressed gratitude to the organizer of the Beijing International Book Fair, publishing units Beiyue Publishing House, and translators Cao Shui in the video, and elaborated on the creative foundation of his poetry. Fernando believes that poetry is the crystallization of human mythology, history, philosophy, and wisdom, and an extension of our existing sensory world. His understanding of poetic justice is to speak out for human freedom and dignity, and to bring practical hope.
The author Fernando Rendon, General Coordinator of the World Poetry Movement， expressed gratitude to the organizer of the Beijing International Book Fair, publishing units Beiyue Publishing House, and translators Cao Shui in the video, and elaborated on the creative foundation of his poetry. Fernando believes that poetry is the crystallization of human mythology, history, philosophy, and wisdom, and an extension of our existing sensory world. His understanding of poetic justice is to speak out for human freedom and dignity, and to bring practical hope.
Ouyang Jianghe，professor of Beijing Normal University， was very surprised by the publication of the Chinese translation of Fernando Rendon’s works. He praised Fernando as an actor and promoter, who is constructing a new perception of poetry and civilization for world readers through unique creative concepts. He also mentioned that Cao Shui has a broad vision of civilization and lofty poetic aspirations, and shares similar concepts and experiences with Fernando. For “The Song of Dream Land,” Cao Shui is not only a translator but also a communicator of poetry.
Robert Aedo，professor of University of Chile， stated that Cao Shui is a poet who is good at self reflection and ambitious. He has a deep understanding of the concept of “epic”, combining theoretical and historical perspectives, and can keenly perceive the dispersion and extremes of world cultural contexts. Therefore, his concept of a “poetic cultural complex” is beneficial, and poetry researchers and enthusiasts can gain great cultural friendship from his works.
Robert Aedo，professor of University of Chile， stated that Cao Shui is a poet who is good at self reflection and ambitious. He has a deep understanding of the concept of “epic”, combining theoretical and historical perspectives, and can keenly perceive the dispersion and extremes of world cultural contexts. Therefore, his concept of a “poetic cultural complex” is beneficial, and poetry researchers and enthusiasts can gain great cultural friendship from his works.
The event was hosted by Hao Yuqi, the copyright manager of Beiyue Literature and Art Publishing House. The event invited Luo Yujuan, the Secretary General of Beijing Youth Literature Association, and young poet Huang Xichan to recite the works included in “The Song of Dream Land” and “The Epic of Eurasia” on site. At the final signing stage of the event, Saudi Arabian poet Ali Al Hazmi came to support.
The event was hosted by Hao Yuqi, the copyright manager of Beiyue Literature and Art Publishing House. The event invited Luo Yujuan, the Secretary General of Beijing Youth Literature Association, and young poet Huang Xichan to recite the works included in “The Song of Dream Land” and “The Epic of Eurasia” on site. At the final signing stage of the event, Saudi Arabian poet Ali Al Hazmi came to support.
In the afternoon of the event, an online signing meeting was held, hosted by Cao Fei. Cao Shui introduced the translation process of Song of Dream Land and the significance of the book’s publication in the live broadcast room, and shared the story of his glasses lost and recovered: “When I participated in the Homer International Festival in Türkiye last August, when I swam on the beach of Bozccada in the Mediterranean, my glasses fell into the sea. They all said that Homer borrowed your glasses, because Homer was blind, so to comfort me, I had to temporarily match a pair of glasses in the town next to the ancient city of Troy. The result was very miraculous that last month the Turkish poet Nurduran Duman told me that my glasses were still intact when they were found on the beach. I think it’s a miracle. My translations of Fernando’s “The Song of Dream Land” and my “Epic of Eurasia” are all about miracles, the pursuit of human ideals. As long as you believe, they will come true.” Readers in the live broadcast room are placing orders one after another. The agenda for the afternoon has come to an end, and the premiere ceremony has been a complete success. (End)
