Attendees of the 2019 Russia Pushkin International Poetry Art Festival pose for a photo, on June 7. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

Wei Guoqiang, a poet from Yongji county in Shanxi province, won the prestigious Pushkin Poetry Art Medal at the 2019 Russia Pushkin International Poetry Art Festival and Silk Road International Poetry Art Festival in Moscow, on June 7. 

More than 40 Russian poets and 50 Chinese poets attended the festival consisting of an awards ceremony, a Silk Road International Poetry Forum and a poem recitation in memory of the revered Alexander Pushkin, who died in 1837 and is considered by many to be Russian greatest poet. 

Some 10 Chinese and Russian poets including Wei were given the Pushkin Poetry Art Medal for their achievements in poetry creation and spread. 

Once recognized as one of top 10 Chinese contemporary poets in 2018, Wei has had many pieces published in major Chinese journals and newspapers including Chinese Writers and the People Daily.