The Bard of Exeter heads to China
In April 2026, Kev Payne (Bard of Exeter for April 2025 - 2026) had the chance to spend a week in China for a series of workshops on children’s literacy and illustration skills. Kev spent time in Beijing, Qingdao, and Nanjing UNESCO City of Literature during this trip, so we checked in with him following his return to Exeter to find out what went down in China!
What was your reason for visiting China in April 2026?
I have run workshops for children on writing and illustrating for several years now and was invited to visit schools in China and deliver them there. I visited schools in 3 cities across China. Nanjing, Beijing and Qingdao. I love the blend of travelling and working as it enables me to get a snapshot of what it is like to live there. I manage to get to many tourist sites but also teachers also give me insider tips of the best local places to visit!
When did you first visit China for work / how did you get involved in Book Week in China?
I have worked with Authors Abroad for 8 years and they handle all of my bookings in both the UK and overseas. They have been wonderful in finding me opportunities to deliver my workshops to thousands of children in places such as Indonesia, Kuwait and Hong Kong. I first visited mainland China last year and visited schools across 4 cities and this year went back to two new ones and a return to the same school I visited in Qingdao last year which was a real honour to be invited back!
What writing/drawing/creative activities do you bring to students in China?
With all of my workshops both in the UK and abroad the focus is the same – to develop a love of language, creativity and playfulness. I use puppets and music during my performances and these are often useful in crossing any language barriers. As an illustrator I often incorporate draw-a-long activities which are another useful way of connecting.
Has your recent Bard of Exeter title influenced your creative workshops and/or work in China?
It has! Being the Bard of Exeter has helped me to connect to poetry and ideas in a deeper way which I have been able to share with children. I have always written poetry as a way of expressing feelings and now I have been able to explore ways of developing this in my sessions. Seeing children use poetry as a platform for opening up about their feelings has been wonderful.
Do you have a favourite souvenir/story from your time in China?
I have a special poem I regularly perform on any visit which gives audience members a chance to join in and be part of the poem. I love it because you never know where it is going to go and the poem is different every time. In Qingdao I had the honour of hosting a ‘Dads & Donuts’ event and some of the dads came on stage to be part of my poem. With one dad, somehow despite him not speaking much English and me not speaking much Chinese we managed to create a poem on stage which ended with everyone doing the Gangnam style dance!
How are school events in China different (or similar) to your experiences in schools in Devon/the UK?
They are so similar! This to me is joyful, it shows that poetry and creativity is universal.
What happens during China's Book Week that we could be doing more of in Devon?
Book Week is similar to World Book Day in the UK. There is lots of dressing up, reading challenges and fun! Devon is rich with authors and illustrators so any new opportunities to get them into schools would always be a good idea. Budgets are always tight in UK schools but visits from the creators of books are always inspiring to both children and staff. I can vividly remember an author visit when I was 8 years old which had a real impact on the career I have now.
You can see Kev step down from the Bard of Exeter title on Friday 29th May from 7pm at Exeter Library
A free, fun & lively event at Exeter Library where we'll appoint the next official "Bard of Exeter" in an evening of poetry and performance. Pick up a ticket here »
