National Poets' Gathering Held in Miaoli, 200 Scholars Create Poetry

Miaoli County, Taiwan – Around 200 enthusiasts of traditional Chinese poetry converged on the Wugu Temple in Gongguan Township on Saturday for the Zhenshanmei National Poets' Gathering. The event, organized by the Miaoli County Guoxue Association and the Daai Culture Promotion Association, aimed to foster traditional poetry and encourage greater youth participation in the art form.

The Miaoli County Guoxue Association, with nearly a century of history, is the last remaining poetry society in the region. To cultivate members' creative abilities, the association holds monthly themed writing assignments, with critiques from poetry masters. While the organization has seen significant achievements, many elder members have passed away. This year, the focus shifts to nurturing new talent and inspiring younger generations to engage with poetry.

Sponsored by local enterprise Baibai Changchun Biotechnology Co., the gathering saw participation from various poetry societies across Taiwan, including those from Hsinchu, Taipei, and Taoyuan. Participants were tasked with composing seven-character quatrains on the theme "Reviving Miaoli's Literary Style." Despite heavy rain in the morning, attendees expressed enthusiasm for the rare opportunity to create and exchange ideas with fellow poets from around the country.

Beyond artistic pursuits, the event also addressed pressing global issues. The theme incorporated the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligned with national policies on environmental climate change. Organizers hoped the gathering would inspire a commitment to energy conservation, carbon reduction, and the protection of the planet.