The 2026 "Centennial Lilac Poetry Festival" in Beijing’s Xicheng District, themed “Lilac as Message, Youth as Poetry,” officially kicks off at Baoguo Temple on April 2.

　　It is reported that Xicheng District will continue to develop Fayuan Temple and Yousheng Temple as major poetry landmarks, along with the poetic gardens of the Grand View Garden. In addition to more than 10 themed cultural events held across the district, the festival has also partnered with social media platforms to launch a nationwide poetry collection campaign and topic relay.

　　From March 23 to April 30, “Lilac Poetry Huts” — immersive spaces integrating reading, creation, check-ins, display, and dissemination — have been set up in key cultural venues in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Dali, as well as in major commercial districts in Beijing’s Xicheng, Chaoyang, and Tongzhou districts, and at universities including Tsinghua University and the University of International Business and Economics. The organizers have also collaborated with overseas Chinese associations, such as the North American Poetry Association, to extend the event’s reach to more countries and regions.