The Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum, founded by Master Yu Garden Dao Yi, is a platform for artistic events that transcend national and disciplinary boundaries. As a cultural and artistic forum with a global outlook for the 21st century, it provides a venue for multidisciplinary work in literature, philosophy, music, poetry, art scholarship and religion. Crane Summit has organized numerous domestic and international concerts, symposiums, performances and poetry events conveying the true spirit of love and peace through beauty and goodness.
■ 2004
Crane Summit Performs “Multi-Media Art Production of Poems by Yu Hsi (Yu Garden Dao Yi)” during the 24th World Congress of Poets in Seoul, South Korea
The multi-media art production consisted of two compositions, namely “The Scarlet Dusk” and “Moonlight in the Mountain Monastery”. The lyrics of the former were written by Master Yu Garden Dao Yi and the music was composed by the most influential contemporary composer of Chinese folk music Mr. Liu Wenjin. Master Dao Yi has dedicated this poem to the eminent and venerable religious leader Master Chuan Ching, founder of the Vandana Monastery in Hualien. The lyrics are very poetical and graceful and the music deeply moving. The poem was previously awarded the 2000 Golden Tripod Award for the best song writer.
The movie “Moonlight in the Mountain Monastery”, running time of which is 38 minutes, consists of Master Dao Yi’s verses and his photographs, blending together the genuine feelings of poetry with Flash multi-media arts. It is thus not only an artistic performance transcending traditional interdisciplinary boundaries, furthermore, it opens up new vistas for unconventional interpretation methods in poetry discourses.
■ 2005
The Love Verses of Poetry for 2005 – The Greatest Poetess of China: Li Qingzhao
Multimedia-art performance dedicated to the opening ceremony of the 25th World Congress of Poets in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
■ 2006
A Fair Wind, Bountiful Harvest, and Resonating Brilliance – Magnanimity, Realization, Enlightenment
In September 2006, the entire Crane Summit team, led by Master Yu Garden Dao Yi, attended the opening ceremony of the XXVI World Congress of Poets (WCP) in the Convention Hall of the Mongolian State Palace in Ulaanbaatar.
First, “Burkhan Khaldun Bless You”, the melodious music of horse head fiddles created a graceful and warm atmosphere. Then, President Enkhbayar – a statesman, poet, and translator – delivered a wonderful speech on how poetry purifies human minds and on the importance of poets, the masters of words, whose mission is to spread this spirit.
On the occasion, Master Yu Garden Dao Yi presented President Enkhbayar with three of his books: The Sauntering Letter Fish (a 500-page hardcover collection of poems), No-Form (a newly published book of his scrolls of epic novel), and The Azure Ocean, a collection of his poems translated to Mongolian language.
Chinggis Khaan: A Dragon at the City of Blue Sky, Tengri the Eternal Sky
“Chinggis Khaan: A Dragon at the City of Blue Sky, Tengri the Eternal Sky” is one of Master Dao Yi’s long poems created in 2006. As part of the 26th World Congress of Poets held in Ulaanbaatar, the hosting country, Mongolia, also organized the “Chinggis Khaan World Poetry Festival” to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Great Mongolian State founded by Chinggis Khaan. The Ministry of Culture invited contributions on the topic of “The World Man—Chinggis Khaan” from writers all over the world. Master Dao Yi’s poem written for the poetry competition majestically and gracefully describes the gallant manner of this epochal person; the poem stood out from nearly one hundred eminent works by world poets and won the first prize of this international poetry competition. Master Dao Yi received a golden medal, an honorary sash, and a purebred Mongolian horse, whom he named “Salhin Galt”. Moreover, President Enkhbayar awarded him the “Honorary Medal of the 800thAnniversary of the Great Mongolian State”.
■ 2007
My Garden Smiles
In March 2007 the founder and chairman of the Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum Master Yu Garden Dao Yi accepted the invitation from the Indian president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to visit the Indian presidential palace. During this visit, Master Dao Yi presented President Kalam with the scroll of epic poem “Inter-centurial Fire Phoenix”. In return, President Kalam presented him with a poem he composed for him “My Garden Smiles”.
Ode to Beautiful Bhārata
In August 2007, on the eve of the grand opening of the World Congress of Poets in Chennai, Master Yu Garden Dao Yi held an original music performance “Sonata of Life” featuring numerous outstanding Taiwanese musicians.
On 1 September Master Yu Garden Dao Yi and Indian president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam jointly moderated the opening ceremony of the 27th World Congress of Poets. During the congress, Master Dao Yi also presented president Kalam with the hardbound limited edition of The Blue Birds’ Midnight Sonata, a collection of calligraphy, poetry and music. This multi-media publication also contains calligraphy, sheet music, etc. It has a cloth gilt cover and is bound using Chinese traditional thread binding techniques.
Moreover, during the congress, Master Dao Yi introduced his new poem “Power of Silence – Gandhi” and presented president Kalam with The Gold Leaf Book inspired by the spirit of Gandhi. The Gold Leaf Book features both Chinese and English translation of the long poem “Power of Silence – Gandhi”, which celebrates the peaceful achievements of Gandhi, and is further supplemented with a golden relief of Gandhi himself. The golden color represents the eternal flames and all that is precious and scarce alluding to Gandhi’s grant personality.
■ 2008
Melodrama “The Circular World”– Revisiting the Land of Blue Skies
The opening night of the music masterpiece “The Circular World” by Yu Garden Dao Yi was held on 10 September 2008 at the Mongolian National Academic Drama Theatre. The performance was attended by numerous local artists and the Mongolian president Nambar Enkhbayar, who conferred the "Mongolian State Honored Nairamdal Friendship Medal" upon Master Dao Yi for his valuable contribution to world peace, international literature and cultural and artistic exchange between Mongolia and Taiwan. (21 October 2008)
■ 2009
Publication of the Collected Poems by Luo Fu
Luo Fu, whose verses combine sense and sensibility, is a legendary member of the Chinese literary circles. To collect and publish all his verses of more than 60 years has been for many years Luo Fu’s secret wish. It has also been a grand literary event eagerly awaited by his numerous readers.
At the end of 2005 Luo Fu and his wife visited the Vandana Monastery in Hualien to attend a music poetry recital. Although it was their first meeting, Master Yu Garden Dao Yi and Luo Fu immediately engaged in lively discussion. Admiring the moonlight shimmering on the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the two of them spontaneously created a couplet, which marked the beginning of their friendship. Upon his return to Vancouver Luo Fu composed a long poem “Back against the Sea” and in December 2007 he presented it to Master Dao Yi as a small token of their first meeting and friendship.
Later on, upon Master Dao Yi’s recommendation, the international committee agreed to subsidize the publication of the Collected Poems by Luo Fu.
The limited edition of Collected Poems by Luo Fu published in Spring 2009 by Poem Culture Ltd. in cooperation with the Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum comprises of four volumes and contains all Luo Fu’s poetical work of more than 60 years, bringing together his lifetime oeuvre.
In Prague, Picturesque Town from the Fairy Tales
In October 2009, during his visit to the Czech Republic, Master Yu Garden Dao Yi, founder of Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum, not only conferred “Crane Summit Supreme Honor Crown Medallion” upon President Vaclav Havel. He also presented him with 500 copies of the illustrated book for children Master Huntsman (including DVD with the cartoon) to be distributed among the Czech youth as a token that the humanitarian values and greater love transcend national boundaries.
■ 2010
Origin of Century / Soul of Pureness
On 6 May 2010 the “Origin of Century / Soul of Pureness” meeting was held by the Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum at the National Central Library in Taipei. The event was attended by many important figures from European literary circles.
When Oceans Meet
On 18 May 2010, Master Yu Garden Dao Yi accepted the invitation from the former president of India and “Missile Father”, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and visited him in his residence in New Delhi, where he presented President Kalam with his poem Metaphysical Traveler inspired by President Kalam himself and sent 500 copies of the book as a present to local children.
“People’s President” Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam accompanied Master Dao Yi to the Chennai University, where they jointly attended the welcoming ceremony in honor of Master Dao Yi and discussed poetry and literature. Furthermore, during the ceremony, president Kalam presented Master Dao Yi with a magnificent 19kg golden statue of Buddha.
The Opening of the Azure and Mysterious Imprints on the Ocean – “Arts Exhibition of Sculptures from Mongolian Buddhist Scriptures”
2 June 2010 saw the opening of the exhibition of sculptures from Mongolian Buddhist Scriptures at the National Central Library in Taipei. The founder of the Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum Master Yu Garden Dao Yi, the founding president of Mongolia Punsalmaa Ochirbat, former Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs Madame Sanjaasuren Oyun, former Mongolian Minister of Justice, mayor of the city of Ulaanbaatar, the chairman of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission Mr. Kao Su-Po, the Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Javier Hou, Markhaaj Choidorj from the Ulaanbaatar Trade and Economic Representative Office in Taipei and famous Mongolian Buddhist Sculptor Ochir Erdenechuluun all took part in the ceremony of cutting the ribbon held on the ground floor in the Exhibition Hall of the National Central Library. The exhibition later moved to the Vandana Monastery in Hualien.
Dialogue between the Ocean and the Island – Love and Peace
In December 2010, the former president of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, accepted Master Dao Yi’s invitation to visit Taiwan for the first time, in order to promote the universal value of poetry and facilitate further artistic and cultural exchange between India and Taiwan. As part of President Kalam’s visit, Master Dao Yi accompanied President Kalam during his official visit in the Presidential Palace, during which the two state leaders conversed and exchanged presents. President Kalam presented President Ma Ying-jeou with a limited edition of the Chinese translation of Tirukkural.
XXX World Congress of Poets
The XXX WCP organized by the Crane Summit 21st Century was held in December 2010 in Taipei and Hualien. The event was attended by more than 300 poets from all over the world and the grand opening ceremony took place in the Vandana Monastery in Hualien. During the Congress, Master Dao Yi presented N. Enkhbayar, President of Mongolia, with the Honorary Gavel and a scroll painting “Bouncing Horse”. The gavel was received by Dr. G. Mend Ooyo, the president of the Mongolian Academy of Culture and Poetry, on behalf of President Enkhbayar.
Master Yu Garden Dao Yi and China’s most popular composer Tang Jianping collaborated once again to create a symphonic poem, "The Road", whose performance took place as part of the XXX WCP. The poem is 178 lines long and was first published in 2003. To date, “The Road” has been translated into English, French, Spanish, Mongolian, Czech and Slovak and has been highly acclaimed worldwide.
The 2nd Taiwan Cross-Strait cum Hong Kong and Macao Arts Forum
“The Second Taiwan Cross-Strait cum Hong Kong and Macao Arts Forum” was held between 18-20 December 2010 in Hualien and Taipei. The Forum was jointly organized by the Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The Arts Forum was also attended by a delegation from the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles led by the chairman Sun Jiazheng.
■ 2011
Presenting the Illustrated Book for Children Leaflet’s Diary in Prague
In October 2011 Master Yu Garden Dao Yi visited again the Czech and Slovak Republics, where he met with the founding presidents of the two states, Václav Havel and Michal Kováč. During this visit, he also presented the copyright to the Czech translation of the illustrated book for children Leaflet’s Diary to the Foundation VIZE 97 founded by President Havel and his wife, in order to promote further cultural exchange between Taiwan and Czech Republic.
■ 2012
Crane Summit International Poetry Forum
In November 2012 the Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum held the opening ceremony of the “2012 Crane Summit 21st Century International Poetry Forum” in the Vandana Monastery in Hualien together with a book release and exhibition of poems on peace by poets from nine different countries. The idea of the International Poetry Forum goes back to March 2007, when the former Indian president and poet Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Master Yu Garden Dao Yi came up with the joint idea of “100 Poems on World Peace by 100 Poets” and invited poets from all over the world to create poems celebrating world peace and friendship.
■ 2014
2014 Crane Summit International Poetry & Religion Forum
“2014 Crane Summit 21st Century International Poetry & Religion Forum” hosted by Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum, Bounty Guanyin Cultural Foundation and the Chinese Department of the National Kaohsiung Normal University was held in the Vandana Monastery in Hualien and at the National Kaohsiung University in Kaohsiung in December 2014. The forum was organized as the “Second Stage of the 100 Poems on World Peace by 100 Poets Movement” and was attended by participants from Taiwan, Hungary, France, Mongolia, China, Japan, Czech Republic and India.
■ 2015
Opening Ceremony of the Mongolian Yurt
The Opening Ceremony of the Mongolian Yurt sent to Hualien from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, was held in the Vandana Monastery in January 2015, a testimony to the longtime friendship and cultural cooperation between Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum and the Mongolian artistic and cultural circles. The ceremony was followed by a grand performance by Mongolian musicians and dancers.
XXXV World Congress of Poets
XXXV World Congress of Poets organized by the Crane Summit 21st Century International Forum and the Bounty Guanyin Cultural Foundation was held in the Vandana Monastery in Hualien in November 2015. The congress was presided jointly by chairman of the Crane Summit Master Yu Garden Dao Yi and Dr. M. Rajaram, IAS, Secretary of the Tamil Development & Information Department.
Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also accepted the invitation to attend, yet unfortunately passed away a few months earlier. Two events were organized as part of the congress to commemorate and honor the late Indian “People’s President”: World Peace Inextinguishable Auspicious Lamp Lighting Ceremony and a Memorial Meeting, during which a movie in memory of President Kalam was screened, followed by a speech by Dr. Harry Sheridon, President Kalam’s personal secretary for many years.