TWO weeks after the conclusion of the hit show “Chinese Poetry Competition,” a new program, “Readers,” has become a nationwide sensation. Airing on China Central Television (CCTV) over the weekend, it is sparking fresh enthusiasm for literature in China.

    The weekly talk show, produced and hosted by renowned TV personality Dong Qing, invites people from all walks of life to read aloud excerpts of poems, essays and books they like or wrote. The participants also share stories from their own life explaining why particular pieces touched their hearts or shaped their lives.

    Three days after its debut on CCTV-1 on Saturday, “Readers” has been rated 9.2 points out of 10 on Douban, one of China’s most popular review sites. Internet users have hailed it as “a breath of fresh air” among variety shows in China, a refreshing change from the usual dance and singing shows that dominate live television.

    Participants were given different topics in each episode. The first, about 80 minutes long, was themed “Encounter,” starred eminent Chinese translator Xu Yuanchong, who has translated more than 100 classics from Chinese to both English and French, highly respected Chinese actor Pu Cunxin, Chinese tech giant Lenovo founder Liu Chuanzhi and Beijing doctor Jiang Li, who has helped treat people in war-torn Afghanistan.

    A line, a poem, a letter, a life story

    Through the poetic words, the readers brought the almost-lost habit of reading aloud back into the public spotlight, immersing the audience in the beauty of language.

    While recalling his own experiences with literature and youth, 96-year-old Xu became emotional, with tears in his eyes.

    “The first poem I translated from Chinese to English was ‘Bie Diudiao’ (“Don’t Cast Away”) in 1939. It’s a poem by Lin Huiyin,” Xu recalled. Lin was a noted 20th-century Chinese architect and writer, known to be the first female architect in modern China.

    He went on to say that he used the translated work to deliver a love message to a girl he liked. Though he failed in the love confession, he has won a lifetime career of translation.

    Xu has long been a household name in China because of his translations between Chinese, English, and French. He became the first Asian to win the Aurora Borealis prize in 2014 for outstanding translation of fiction literature, one of the highest honors for translators.

    Revival of cultural shows?

    The 80-minute episode has struck a chord with thousands of people online, earning high praise.

    “The show is a breath of fresh air in such a fickle world,” said an Internet user named@PanxiaopanQing_ke on China’s Twitter-like Sina Weibo.

    “We need such programs to call for all people to read and also to promote Chinese culture. It will help purify the social atmosphere, and bring more nutrients to the younger generation,” @yln-yiyiyiyi posted.

    “It’s communication between words and emotions. The power of language then touches the bottom of our hearts,” @Kuangyewuyiren posted.

    “Readers” is only one of the culture-themed TV programs that have reignited the country’s passion for literature in recent years. Others include the “Chinese Poetry Competition,” “Chinese Characters Dictation Contest,” and “Chinese Idioms Contest.” When the 10-episode “Chinese Poetry Competition” was aired from Jan. 29 to Feb. 7, it attracted more than 1.16 billion viewers nationwide.

    When asked if the “spring” of cultural shows had finally arrived, “Readers” host Dong disagreed.

    “I don’t think it’s now the time to say that the spring for cultural shows has come because of the success of the ‘Chinese Poetry Competition’ and ‘Readers.’ In order to stand out among other variety shows, we need more efforts and changes in the overall environment (a larger consistent audience).

    But the success of these programs is like a vane, through which we can see that there is a huge demand for cultural shows in the public. In today’s television world where reality shows have dominated, this is very encouraging.”

    With more people reflecting on their own reading habits, the question now is: when is the last time you read a poem, or, book excerpts aloud?

    (China Daily)