The opening ceremony of the third Grand Canal International Poetry Festival 2019 is held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 23. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Renowned poets from across the world gathered in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province on April 23 for the third Grand Canal International Poetry Festival.

Running until June 21, the festival will feature a wide range of activities, including poetry recitation, street markets, handicrafts, music, poetry, paintings, and Han Chinese clothing.

Chinese poet Yu Xiuhua was invited to recite a poem at the opening ceremony.

Poetry has become an integral part of Hangzhou's culture, according to Li Gang, vice president of Hangzhou Canal Group Cultural Tourism Co.

He hopes that poems from different eras can showcase the city's development trajectory, help raise the its international profile, and attract more poetry lovers from around the world.

Chinese poet Yu Xiuhua recites a poem at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Grand Canal International Poetry Festival in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 23. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Poets pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Grand Canal International Poetry Festival in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 23. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]