Dongpo Academy. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

The 2024 Dongpo Cultural and Art Week kicked off in Yixing, a county-level city of Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on June 22 to honor Su Dongpo, an iconic figure of Chinese literature and fine arts during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Su Dongpo showed a special preference for Yixing, where he not only lived for nearly 30 years, but of which he left numerous renowned verses.

A craftsman works on a porcelain vase at the China Yixing Ceramics Museum. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

To better promote the ancient poet, Yixing has created a Xiju Opera play called Dongpo's Hometown of Heart and curated an art exhibition revolving about the poet at Huishan Ancient Town, reproducing a broad-minded, honest, and likeable Su Dongpo.

In combination with urban renewal, Yixing is also promoting Su Dongpo by establishing cultural stations and parks. Folk songs, cartoons, and bazaars have also been employed to tell the poet's stories.

Dongpo Pavilion of Yada Yangxian Xishan. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

At the launch ceremony, Yixing unveiled three Su Dongpo-themed travel routes.

Route one: Yixing Museum – Dongpo Academy – Haitang Park, or Crabapple Park

Route two: Yaohu town – Shushan Gunan Street – China Yixing Ceramics Museum

Route three: Yixing Bamboo Forest – Shanjuan Cave – Dongpo Pavilion of Yada Yangxian Xishan