Teenager struts her stuff as a budding poetry buff
Print Edition
MINHANG girl Hou Youwen recently drew public attention for her outstanding performance at the Chinese Poetry Competition organized by China Central Television.
Although the 13-year-old didn’t win any awards, she delivered a perfect recitation of poetry and was the only junior high school representative from Shanghai.
“People participating in the competition were from all walks of life,” said Hou. “Some of them were doctorate students or professors, and all of them had great talent. I’m just a junior middle student, but I still found it a great opportunity.”
Hou said she lived with grandparents before reaching the age of three. Her grandmother taught her to read poetry, and she grew up obsessed with ancient Chinese poetry and their back-stories.
In 2015, Hou enrolled at a school in the district where traditional Chinese culture was an integral part of the curriculum.
“I attended extra classes on ancient Chinese literature, and the library was full of books I love to read,” she said. “I also made friends sharing the same interest.”
Hou also writes her own poems. She said every time she reads a new poem, she thinks of the theme and tries to write one on her own. She believes that helps her understand the emotions of the original authors of the poems.
Several months ago, she and several schoolmates with the same interest formed a poetry society. Every month they write poems on a specific topic and critique each other’s works.
“I want to major in ancient Chinese literature in college,” said Hou.
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