China's first poetry festival will be held in the city of Ma'anshan in east China's Anhui province from October 25 to 30 this year, according to the Ministry of Culture.

The festival is being sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Writers Association, and the Anhui provincial government. The theme of this festival is "Poetic China, Harmonious China."

"Ma'anshan has held 16 Chinese poetry reciting festivals since 1989, and it has much experience in conducting such activities. Besides, the city is the hometown of Li Bai, a famous poet in Tang Dynasty (618-907), and we have a good tradition in and atmosphere for chanting classic verse," said Mayor Yao Yuzhou.

There will be many cultural activities during the festival, including a poetry forum, a poetry recitation competition and a contemporary poetry exhibition.

"Holding such a festival will promote the economic and social development in the area," said Liu Zhongjun, deputy director of Art Department of the Ministry of Culture.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2005)