As autumn sunlight settles gently across the campus, the annual Mid-Autumn Poetry Gala at Haidian Kaiwen Academy arrives once again.

“Poetry in the Autumn Air, Verse Echoing Through Kaiwen.” This year marks the 10th Mid-Autumn Poetry Gala at Haidian Kaiwen Academy. Over the past decade, this annual celebration—rich in poetry and cultural meaning—has gradually become a distinctive cultural tradition within the Kaiwen community.

On the stage of this year’s gala, students recited timeless Chinese poems with clear and youthful voices, bringing to life the imagery, spirit, and emotional depth embedded in classical verse.

From the innocent voices of young children to lyrical reflections on nature, and finally to powerful expressions of cultural identity and national spirit, the students became young poets traveling across time. Through poetry, they connected with centuries of literary heritage while expressing the confidence and vitality of a new generation.

Experiencing the Spirit and Character of Poetry in the Chinese Classroom

The Mid-Autumn Poetry Gala at Haidian Kaiwen Academy is not merely a performance—it is a meaningful cultural learning experience and an awakening of emotional connection to heritage.

Over the course of three weeks, elementary Chinese teachers guided students through reading, analyzing, and interpreting classical poems. From pronunciation and tone to emotional expression, from understanding imagery to presenting on stage, students refined their recitations through repeated practice, striving to convey the beauty of Chinese poetry and the depth of cultural memory.

Each year’s poetry gala reflects the spirit of the Chinese language curriculum at Haidian Kaiwen Academy and represents an important educational practice in preserving and transmitting Chinese cultural heritage.

Chinese language education, she explained, lays the foundation for students’ humanistic and cultural development. In addition to standard textbooks, teachers provide poetry recitation booklets and begin each class with the reading of classical poems. Over time, this practice nurtures aesthetic appreciation and helps students experience the rhythm, elegance, and expressive richness of the Chinese language.

Language learning, therefore, is not only about knowledge acquisition—it is also about the integration of aesthetics, critical thinking, emotional understanding, and cultural awareness.

Through a framework of core curriculum + after-school activities + thematic events, the elementary Chinese program at Haidian Kaiwen Academy systematically develops students’ language literacy. Poetry recitation classes help students accumulate classic works while guiding them to appreciate the musicality and imagery of the language.

Poetry connects history with the present and carries deep cultural meaning and identity. Through a single poem, students can approach a historical figure, understand a particular era, and experience the spirit of a civilization.

Whether it is Qu Yuan’s patriotic sorrow, Du Fu’s solemn reflections, Su Shi’s open-minded resilience, or Yue Fei’s loyalty and courage, students encounter not only the beauty of language but also the moral character and spirit embedded in Chinese poetry.

When students read poems about plum blossoms, they discover the meaning of integrity and quiet strength. When they encounter bamboo in poetry, they learn about resilience and perseverance.

In this way, the spirit and character embedded in Chinese culture gradually enter students’ hearts through the Chinese classroom.

Chinese Culture in a Bilingual and International School Environment

As a bilingual international school in Beijing, Haidian Kaiwen Academy places great importance on cultivating students’ deep understanding of Chinese culture alongside their global outlook.

The school believes that only by truly understanding and appreciating one’s own cultural heritage can students confidently engage with the world. A strong sense of cultural identity enables young people to participate thoughtfully and confidently on the international stage.

The Mid-Autumn Poetry Gala represents an extension of classroom learning and a vivid example of interdisciplinary education. Poetry blends with music, literature with the arts. Students feel rhythm through recitation, experience emotion through performance, and express cultural values on stage.

Through this immersive and experiential learning approach, culture becomes more than words on a page—it becomes something that can be spoken, sung, performed, and deeply felt.

Over the years, the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gala has grown into a cherished tradition at Haidian Kaiwen Academy.

Let us now step into the gala itself and witness how students use their pure voices to awaken ancient poems and carry forward a literary heritage that has flourished for thousands of years.

Final Moments: Gratitude and Blessings

During the intermission, Principal Li Yongyuan surprised the audience with an original acrostic poem celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gala and offering festive greetings.

At the closing, teachers and students joined together to send their warm wishes to everyone present. Through song and recitation, the young “Suoyu He” performers expressed courage, companionship, and encouragement.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt performance of “Fly Bravely.”