On October 22, during an interview with a representative from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, we learned about the exciting launch of the sixth season of the Global Chinese Language University Student Short Poetry Competition. This initiative invites submissions from current students at universities worldwide, as well as graduates from the past three years.
This year, in addition to its traditional category for original short poems, the competition has introduced a new category specifically for AI-generated short poetry. Each category includes both modern and classical styles, aiming to provide a platform for Chinese-speaking university students globally to engage in poetic expression, fostering the rich heritage of Chinese poetry. Modern poems must not exceed 14 lines, while classical poems are limited to 140 characters, with prize money totaling over 100,000 RMB.
Since its inception in 2014, the short poetry competition has operated under the theme “Everyone Should Write a Good Poem in Life,” encouraging young students to craft their own verses. After five successful seasons, this event celebrates a decade of participation from over 2,000 universities and 60,000 students, resulting in more than 100,000 submissions and a staggering 500 million views of related topics. Notable high-quality poems have been published by both Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press and the People’s Daily Publishing House.
Du Hao, the chief organizer of the sixth season and a member of the graduate student union at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, emphasized the importance of keeping traditional Chinese culture vibrant. “For contemporary youth, creating excellent poetry can resonate with and inspire readers while encouraging them to re-examine the depth of Chinese culture. Previous grand prize winners, such as ‘Visiting an Old Friend’s Home’ and ‘I Am One of the Many Events That Age My Parents,’ serve as great examples.”
Zhang Sisi from the university’s publicity department highlighted the significance of artificial intelligence in today’s tech landscape: “AI represents a crucial force driving technological revolution and industrial change, influencing our ways of living. As we celebrate the competition’s tenth anniversary, we’re thrilled to introduce the AI poetry category, encouraging participants to explore imaginative landscapes with AI technologies, showcasing the innovative interplay between youth creativity and AI.”
The Global Chinese Language University Student Short Poetry Competition, founded by students at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is a major cultural event. Notably, it features a live-streaming mechanism for showcasing shortlisted works, shared through the official accounts of the university’s graduate student union on platforms like Weibo.
The 2024 competition is hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and guided by the China Writers Association’s Poetry Journal, alongside other poetry organizations. It is organized by the university’s graduate student union and the competition’s committee.
