For the fifth consecutive year, Bvlgari Hotel Beijing partners with The Poem For You to present 'A Poem to Joy'—an exquisite Garden Poetry Ensemble. This early summer artistic gathering brings together distinguished guests from various fields in the Italian garden by the Liangma River, celebrating the harmonious blend of nature and art through Bvlgari art of living.
Co-curated by Bvlgari Hotel Beijing and The Poem For You, the ensemble featured a fluid combination of dance, song, poetry and live music. Rooted in poetry, the event turned fleeting moments of joy into lasting verse, inviting guests to immerse themselves in beauty and savour the Italian lifestyle.
The Italian Ambassador to China H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, Actress Zhu Zhu
The evening began with a heartfelt welcome speech by media personality Zhu Zitong, marking the official opening of the 2025 Bvlgari Garden Poetry Concert. Musician XIAO Ying then took the stage alongside percussionist Wang Lixing, cellist Fu Chao and harpist Lv Xing. Together, they performed an imaginative and engaging piece that captured the essence of early summer through moving melodies. As graceful harmonies drifted through the air, actress Zhu Zhu began by reciting a verse by Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa: “Cada Dia sem Gozo não Foi Teu” She invited guests to rediscover the everyday moments of happiness through poetry and art.
Pianist Wan Jieni, TV Host Li Sisi, Actress XIONG Naijin
Throughout the ensemble, music and poetry flowed effortlessly together. Pianist Wan Jieni evoked the tenderness of a summer night with Chopin’s romantic melodies, while singer and musical theatre actor Dai Wei stirred deep emotional memories with a timeless classic. The Italian Ambassador to China H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti joined TV host Li Sisi in reciting Eugenio Montale’s Portami il girasole ch’io lo trapianti, which links sun-seeking blossoms to vibrant lives yearning for light, conveying a message of hope.
Actress Xiong Naijin performed a theatrical monologue of Shu Dandan’s poem When the Citrus Blossoms, bringing the fragrant essence of orange blossoms to life through her words and evoking a deep sense of nostalgia. Musician Deng Jianchao captivated listeners with his rich voice and heartfelt delivery of an English song. Actor and dancer Zhang Aoyue brought poetry to life through motion, expressing “joy” through his expressive movement, which added a poetic visual element to the evening.
Actress Zhang Xueying, Dancer Zhang Aoyue, Musician Deng Jianchao
The fusion of literature and thought added deeper meaning to the joyful atmosphere of the poetry gathering. Li Jingze, Vice Chairman of the China Writers Association and an essayist, deconstructed the essence of "joy" from subtle perspectives. Professor Dong Mei from the Central Academy of Fine Arts shared her reflections, guiding the audience to rediscover the often-overlooked beauty in everyday life. Poet Ouyang Jianghe and Pan Jieke, founder and chairman of The Poem For You, also offered their unique insights into the nature of joy. Next, actress Zhang Xueying read excerpts from British author Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive: Things I have enjoyed since the time
I thought I would never enjoy anything again “The scent of pine on a warm evening in Italy.” These tender snapshots of life reminded everyone that true happiness may be within reach – it’s simply that we sometimes forget how to find it.
Bvlgari Hotel Beijing’s Il Giardino, Collection of “The Poem for You”, “The Glow of Joy” Cocktail
By the banks of the Liangma River, Bvlgari Hotel Beijing stands as a tranquil urban oasis. Designed by Swiss landscape architect Enzo Enea, the Italian-style garden draws inspiration from the flowing rhythm of Liangma River – layered greenery mimics rippling waves, while geometric lines echo the curves of the riverbank. In the gentle early summer breeze, these elements combine to create a distinctive artistic elegance. The 2025 Bvlgari Garden Poetry Concert took place in this tranquil setting, with the 9.3-kilometre Liangma River flowing quietly beside it – anglers by the shore, children at play and citizens strolling leisurely. This scene captured a uniquely Beijing kind of urban poetry: relaxed Italian elegance blending harmoniously with vibrant local life, creating a poetic tableau where city and nature coexist.
At the event, renowned voice actor Li Lihong recited poet Li Yuansheng’s Wonder. As his rich and resonant voice echoed the words, “No days are superfluous. At night I hear singing from across the river. No need for explanation – we are all part of the moon,” they melded with the gentle murmur of the Liangma River, enveloping listeners in its charm and rhythm.
General Manager of Bvlgari Hotel Beijing Anthony Smekens, Bilingual host Andy Chen
Bvlgari Hotel Beijing General Manager Anthony Smekens and bilingual host Andy Chen delivered a heartfelt reading of Schiller’s classic Ode à la Joie in both French and Chinese. Their rhythmic delivery flowed like lively musical notes above the garden, elevating the concept of “joy” into an emotional resonance that transcended borders and languages, immersing guests in an exquisite ambiance where art and poetry intertwined.
As the poetry ensemble drew to a close, Zhang Yaqin, academician of the Academy of Engineering and professor at Tsinghua University, poet Yuan Fan and Zhang Xuan, CEO of The Poem For You, took the stage. Through four evocative poems inspired by rivers, they paid tribute to the Liangma River and celebrated this joyous moment.
“A Poem to Joy” Bvlgari Garden Poetry concert
With the riverside cocktail party in full swing, guests raised their glasses in celebration. A gentle evening breeze rustled through the garden’s century-old pines, wrapping the early summer dusk in serene charm. In that unforgettable moment, art and joy intertwined, composing the perfect finale to an evening alive with music and poetry at Bvlgari Hotel Beijing.
[All images are courtesy of Bvlgari Hotel Beijing]
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