Guangzhou Library will host a series of multilingual and cross-cultural events throughout April 2025 as part of the city's annual reading month initiative. The theme, "Global Connections," will immerse visitors in linguistic adventures and cultural explorations in six languages: English, Russian, German, Japanese, French, and Spanish, along with a special poetry exhibition featuring South American works.

1. "Exotic Blooms: A mosaic of Uruguayan women poets" interactive poetry exhibition

Duration: April 27 – June 8 (Closed on Wednesdays)

Venue: Multicultural Hall, 8th Floor North, Guangzhou Library

This exhibition focuses on the anthology Exotic Blooms, showcasing the lives and works of pioneering Uruguayan female poets born between 1797 and 1939. By combining art installations and sound interactions, it highlights their dual roles as poets and professionals—translators, lawyers, medical doctors, and librarians. Visitors can engage with the poetic verses and intellectual reflections of these trailblazing women.

2. Opening ceremony & Uruguayan culture-poetry symposium

Date: April 27 (Sunday), 14:30-16:00

Venue: Multicultural Hall, 8th Floor North, Guangzhou Library

Key highlights include:

Bicentenary of Uruguayan Independence: Insights into the nation's history, cultural heritage, and the role of the National Library of Uruguay in identity-building.

Cross-Cultural Poetry Dialogue: An exploration of Uruguayan literature, female poetic voices, translation challenges ("translatable vs. untranslatable"), and the impact of AI on poetry translation through generative language models.

3. Thematic book display: "Rhythms of Uruguay—Literature, History & Culture"

Duration: April 27 – June 8

Venue: Multicultural Hall, 8th Floor North, Guangzhou Library

This display features Spanish-language original works from the Uruguayan National Library, offering books on Uruguayan literature, history, society, and tourism. Readers can delve into the unique charm of this South American nation through curated texts.

(No registration required; open to all.)

Multilingual engagement programs

"WeTalk" English Chatroom: On April 20, 50 participants will engage in hot-topic discussions led by multilingual volunteers.

Japanese workshop on Sino-Japanese characters: Held concurrently, this session explores the etymology and evolution of shared Chinese characters in both languages.

Guangzhou Library's legacy of global cultural exchange

Since 2013, the library has organized over 830 multicultural events under brands like "Global Journey" and "Polyglot Gatherings," introducing more than 30 countries and 12 languages, including niche ones such as Polish, Greek, and Esperanto. Collaborators include university volunteers, scholars, and consulates, embodying Guangzhou's commitment to fostering global cultural understanding.

Visit Guangzhou Library this April to embark on a linguistic and cultural odyssey—no passport required!

(All events are free and open to the public unless specified.)