It was common practice in Ancient China for poets and scholars to gather on spring days to recite their latest odes and verse and fine tune their craft.

Skip forward to the present, and students in Chongqing kept that tradition alive on May 2 performing poetry from days gone by to their classmates.

Poetry recital featured heavily at Chongqing No 1 International Studies School’s traditional culture festival, where hundreds of  middle school students paid homage to the classics, draped in period costume.

Some 12 classic poems written by famous poets from six periods in Chinese history were performed dating back as far as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220).

Students wearing Han Dynasty dress read poems in tune with traditional string instruments at Chongqing No 1 International Studies School’s traditional culture festival on May 2. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Students adapted the poems, combining reading with scene play, dancing, music and singing. They even translated some sections into English or local dialects depending on the meanings and context.

Dressed in Republic of China era clothing, students recite poetry from that time. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

According to Zheng Wen, a Chinese teacher from Chongqing No 1 International Studies School, the poems were selected in order to help students better understand the development of Chinese poetry throughout history.

A corridor at Chongqing No 1 International Studies School is decorated with classic poetry and profiles of famous poets. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Edited by Owen Fishwick