On May 15, the 2026 International Youth Poetry Festival on Campus(Special Session for China-Arab States), was held at Beijing Normal University (BNU). The event was jointly organized by BNU's Academy of Chinese Culture | Jingshi Academy, the Belt and Road School, the School of Chinese Language and Literature, and the International Writing Center of BNU. Forty-eight young poets, sinologists, and writers from 13 Arab countries—including Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, and Yemen—gathered alongside poets, writers, and translators from China.They discussed cultural exchanges and foster spiritual resonance. He Xiangyang, Member of the Leading Party Members Group and Vice Chairperson of the China Writers Association, attended the event.

Wang Shoujun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Executive Vice President of BNU, extended a warm welcome to the young Chinese and Arab poets. In his speech, he emphasized that the youth are the future of China-Arab relations, and that youth naturally aligns with poetry. Although these two civilizations are thousands of miles apart, their pursuit of a poetic life and their expression of patriotism are highly aligned. The “Belt and Road” Initiative has not only fostered economic and trade cooperation but also bridged people's hearts through words and emotions. BNU is deeply integrated into the Construction of the “Belt and Road”, contributing its strength to China-Arab cultural exchanges and practical cooperation, and assisting people-to-people connectivity through cultural exchanges. He expressed hope that Chinese and Arab youth will use poetry as a bridge to achieve spiritual connection, emotional resonance, build consensus, and deepen friendship.

During the keynote speech session, the China poet and Professor Ouyang Jianghe from BNU stated that Arab poetry is as ancient and great as Chinese poetry. He believes the future of poetry lies in the hands of young poets. He expressed his hope for the continued development of poetic exchanges between China and Arab countries.

The Egyptian poet and novelist Munir Attya expressed his feelings for poetry in concise, poetic language. He stated that poetry is an exchange deeply rooted in culture and the human psyche, the essence of human experience, carrying the unique attributes of its creator. Poetry always grows in the unknown.

The China poet and professor at BNU, Xi Chuan, believes that the International Youth Poetry Festival has built an important bridge for deep interactions between Chinese and Arab poets, enabling him to gain a deeper understanding of poetry and literature in the Arab world. This serves as a vivid manifestation of how Chinese and Arab civilizations use poetry as a medium for mutual understanding and reciprocal learning.

The Egyptian translator Yara El-Misiri believes that poetry serves as a window to human freedom, and that Chinese poetry possesses remarkable openness, presenting diverse perspectives and experiences, while creating new forms of interaction and reception.

During the poetry recitation session, young poets took turns on stage to recite their own poems.

Students from the Nanshan Poetry Society at BNU, dressed in Hanfu, enhanced the event with ancient charm and elegance through their chanted recitations of banquet poems from the Shi Jing.