Chinese Language Program hosts Second Annual Chinese Poetry Recitation Contest

December 5, 2013
Chinese Language Program hosts Second Annual Chinese Poetry Recitation Contest

 

On November 6th the basement of Northwest Labs was bustling with a crowd of student performers eager to participate in the second annual Chinese Poetry Recitation Competition. The contest, organized by the Chinese Language Program within Harvard’s Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, brought together students from basic, intermediate, and advanced courses to engage with traditional and contemporary verse. This year’s competition featured a dazzling display of PowerPoint slides complete with musical accompaniment introducing categories and poems. As faculty members trickled into the auditorium, students busied themselves with last-minute preparations, rehearsing timing, enunciation, and emotive gesturing before taking to the stage.

With a decorative sweep of a pen brush on the auditorium screen to welcome the audience, the contest began promptly at 3:30pm. MCs Douglas Muhlestein and Jasmine Griffin, fourth year advanced-level students in the Chinese Language Program, delighted audience members with enthusiastic opening remarks, witticisms, and announcements throughout the performances. Professors David Wang, Mark Elliott, Wai-yee Li, Jennifer Liu, and Xiaofei Tian comprised the panel of judges and ranked the presentations based on skill in memorization, pronunciation, and energy. Recitations ranged from contemplative meditations on nature to verses penned by love-struck authors. Advanced students were asked to explain the meaning behind their poems and responded with lively anecdotes detailing why certain pieces were chosen. Professor Elliott noted, “[the advanced students’] ability to extemporize in Chinese and summarize the gist of their poems, sometimes in just one line, was both inspiring and entertaining.” Whether approaching fluency or just beginning the study of the language, each participant made an effort to address proper vocal techniques and include an appropriate amount of drama.   

The event concluded with an awards ceremony, whereby each contestant received a certificate and a Chinese Language Program t-shirt. Caroline Rakus-Wojciechowski, the first place recipient within the novice group, was surprised and pleased at the number of fellow freshman contestants at the event. Binnan Gao, a preceptor for the Chinese Language Program, worked closely with freshman and advanced level student Adam Jiang, who placed third for his group. When asked about her experience assisting her student, Gao replied, “He really understood the poem, as if he was the poet himself, and I would encourage him to participate next year.” At the reception, which boasted a colorful assortment of traditional Chinese snacks and pastries, students and faculty members mingled, snapped photographs, and celebrated the afternoon’s performances. Overheard were students already discussing what next year’s contest would have in store.

To view student finalist performances, please click here.