Calligraphy contest aims to attract expats
The second “Oriental Cup” Chinese Calligraphy Contest for the International Community was launched on June 6 with the aim of attracting expats from across the country to participate.
The competition is hosted by the Publicity Department of the Futian District Committee of the CPC and organized by Shenzhen Oriental Art Gallery.
According to the organizer, the contest will not only accept entries from expats in Guangdong province this year, but also welcome works from expat participants in other parts of China. Along with the competition, lectures, workshops and salons will be held in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Shenzhen and Hebei and Shandong provinces.
Applicants must submit their works to the organizer before September 10. The finalists’ works and awardwinning calligraphy will be exhibited at the gallery.
Zhong Fanfei, chairperson of the Shenzhen Oriental Art Gallery, said the contest will continue to promote Chinese culture and enhance international communication.
“We wish to make the competition a well-known event in China and a signature cultural project of Shenzhen,” he said.
Chang Mi-yong, a Korean woman who won last year’s first prize, shared her experience of practicing calligraphy at the launch ceremony. “I started learning Chinese calligraphy when I was pregnant. I thought it would be a good way to educate the fetus. I gradually fell in love with it and kept practicing each Monday and Wednesday,” she said.
Allen Hernandez, a Shenzhen S.F. Express employee from Mexico and a runner-up in last year’s competition, said he had received six months of training when he first arrived in China. He kept it up as a hobby and is now focusing on learning the writing style of Chinese calligrapher Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322).
According to the rules, the main content of the works can be Chinese ancient poetry, famous sayings or sentences. The works should be novel, elegant and positive. Each participant is allowed to submit no more than three entries.
Enthusiasts can contact Mr. Zhong by emailing oriental_cup@sina.com or dialing 0755-23603200 for more information on registration and submission procedures.
Last year, the organizer received about 200 calligraphy works from 170 contestants. Workshops were also held to help participants perfect their skills.