On October 14th, a unique book sharing event titled “A Lai Talks About Du Fu’s Poetry in Chengdu” took place in Chengdu, providing a platform for a dialogue that spans over a thousand years. The event also marked the launch of “AI A Lai,” a digital persona created based on the writer A Lai to help readers explore Du Fu’s poetry related to Chengdu, effectively enhancing their reading experience to new heights.

“A Lai Talks About Du Fu’s Poetry in Chengdu,” published by Sichuan People’s Publishing House in 2024, seeks to promote and preserve traditional Chinese culture. In this work, A Lai masterfully connects Du Fu with Chengdu’s poetic landscape, creating a vivid representation of Chinese cultural heritage.

A Lai shared insights about Du Fu’s legacy in Chengdu, highlighting that the poet penned over 200 poems during his time there. Works such as “Song of the Cottage Broken by Autumn Wind,” “Spring Night Rain,” and “Alone Walking by the River in Search of Flowers” vividly capture Chengdu’s geography, climate, and cultural essence. “Du Fu played a crucial role in portraying figures like Zhuge Liang,” A Lai explained. “Many descriptions of Han Dynasty officials found in ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ stem from Du Fu’s poems. His poem ‘The Minister of Shu’ paints a vivid picture of Zhuge Liang’s dedication.”

According to A Lai, Du Fu’s poetry encapsulates a comprehensive view of Chengdu—its mild climate, friendly people, and rich cultural roots. Much of the city’s current atmosphere can be traced back to Du Fu’s influence.

Li Mingquan, Vice President of the Chinese Literary Critics Association and President of the Sichuan Province Literary Critics Association, discussed the multifaceted nature of A Lai’s book. “It presents five distinct versions of Chengdu: the real Chengdu of the Tang Dynasty, the Chengdu depicted by Du Fu, A Lai’s interpretation of Du Fu’s Chengdu, the historically evolving Chengdu, and finally, the Chengdu that readers experience, filled with the poetic essence shaped by Du Fu and reimagined by A Lai.”

Yang Yixian, a poet, writer, and professor at Sichuan University, noted that while “A Lai Talks About Du Fu’s Poetry in Chengdu” is an academic work, the very title conveys a vibrant atmosphere, making it approachable and engaging. “A Lai observes Du Fu through the lens of a writer, much like Du Fu observed Chengdu,” he added.

Additionally, Sichuan People’s Publishing House plans to develop a metaverse version of “A Lai Talks About Du Fu’s Poetry in Chengdu,” allowing readers to immerse themselves in the recreated scenes of the book and interact with its characters and stories.