Children's poems carve out a legacy

While writing is not easy, gathering the poetry of children from around the world on such a large scale and engraving it onto rocks through the art of calligraphy on a beach is also difficult.

Qiu, also a renowned contemporary artist whose works often focus on Chinese characters and calligraphy, receives assistance from his students at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. His team designs each poem's carving style and the calligraphy used to write them, transforming them into works of art rather than just poems.

The artist advocates art in daily life. His previous projects include holding a calligraphy exhibition in a food market in Beijing and a labor-intensive project of copying a fourth-century Chinese calligraphy work more than 4,000 times on the same paper over seven years.

The children's poetry beach is an ambitious vision that Qiu sets for Dongshan Island to become a sanctuary for artistic healing, particularly tailored for individuals grappling with depression. The therapeutic power of poetry and art, coupled with the island's natural elements — soothing sea breezes, rhythmic waves, and abundant sunlight — creates an ideal environment for mental rejuvenation.

Plans are also underway to establish a poetry library on the island, curating a global collection of poetic works. This initiative aims to harness the healing potential of the arts, offering a serene retreat for those in need of solace and inspiration, says Qiu.

After workers began their carving at the beginning of this year, more and more tourists have been coming to the little island, despite its inconvenient transportation. On weekends, many visitors flock to the island to enjoy discovering interesting poems on the rocks, providing a strong boost to local tourism.

"Our project is not just an art festival; it is also a long-term educational and community-building initiative. Through poetry and art, we also aim to inspire the creativity of children, foster community development, and make a different in the future," says Qiu.