Bilingual contest promotes language, cultural exchange

A recent Chinese-English bilingual recitation competition in London offered a platform for participants to sharpen their language skills while promoting Chinese language learning and cultural exchange.

The competition, which concluded on Nov 19, featured more than 30 finalists, aged 5 to 18, performing recitations of poems, prose, and lyrics in both Chinese and English.

Participants could choose either to recite a Chinese work of literature and an English work of literature, or an original passage from either language and its translation in the other.

According to organizers, most participants selected ancient Chinese poems and classic works, including works by poet Li Bai from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Su Shi from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and English playwright and poet William Shakespeare, as well as lyrics of modern songs and modern poems.

The annual event was jointly organized by Mothers' Bridge of Love, a registered charity in the United Kingdom dedicated to building bridges between East and West, Fusion Education Support, and consulting company KYX International.

Fay Yiu, the anchor for this year's event, said she hoped it would encourage more people to learn Chinese and English, practice public speaking, and explore the two cultures while enhancing their confidence and making friends.

Yukteshwar Kumar, former deputy mayor of Bath and a sinologist from the University of Bath, was one of the judges.

Kumar said participating as a judge was "an immensely rewarding experience".

"Witnessing the students' linguistic talents, cultural insights, and confidence was truly inspiring," he said. "This event not only highlighted the remarkable potential of these young individuals but also underscored the importance of fostering cross-cultural understanding and communication in today's interconnected world. It was a privilege to be part of such a meaningful initiative."

While Kumar singled out the recitation of the poem by Su Shi titled How Long will the Full Moon Appear, Bai Xianping, another judge who hosts London Reading Club, was particularly impressed by the recitation by an 8-year-old participant of Yueyang Pavilion, a classical piece of prose by Fan Zhongyan, from the Song Dynasty.

"This is my favorite prose. I'm delighted to see these young participants express confidently in both Chinese and English languages," Bai said.