China News Service, Jakarta, January 29 (Chen Shimeng) "Good luck in the Year of the Dragon", "Dragon and Phoenix present auspiciousness", "Dragon Horse Spirit"... When you walk into the Indonesian Calligraphy and Painting Academy in northern Jakarta, each unique calligraphy work conveys a New Year wishes. These works are produced by calligraphy enthusiasts from all over Indonesia.
Pictured is the event site. Photo by Chen Shimeng
On the morning of the 28th local time, these calligraphy enthusiasts gathered at the Indonesian Calligraphy and Painting Academy to participate in the "'Dragon' blessing the sky - New Year's greetings in the Year of the Dragon" event. The event was jointly organized by the Indonesian Calligraphers Association and the Indonesian Calligraphy and Painting Academy.
The event site was decorated with lights and colorful decorations and was full of joy. Hu Sudan, chairman of the Indonesian Calligraphy and Painting Institute, took the lead in writing the four words "Dragon Walks the World" with flowing pen to express her expectations for the New Year. This long-awaited offline Hui Chun activity also kicked off. The calligraphy enthusiasts present, regardless of gender or age, took up pens, waved spring, wrote blessings, and expressed New Year blessings with pen and ink.
Calligraphy enthusiasts visit the works. Photo by Chen Shimeng
"I know that '福' means happiness and good luck!" Lily, who participated in Huichun for the first time, told reporters while holding up the word "福" written by her. In addition to book lovers from all over Indonesia, there were also Indonesian friends like Lily who were interested in Chinese culture and came to experience calligraphy.
Lily, who had never tried soft-pen calligraphy before, took the brush in hand after the activity started, compared the samples, simulated the practice repeatedly on Zhengdan paper, and discussed it with her friends, but she still hesitated to start writing. After the teacher from the School of Calligraphy and Painting gave a demonstration, she wrote the first stroke of her life and wrote four or five "blessings" in one breath.
Zhang Wanying, who is interested in learning Chinese calligraphy, also contributed her own works to this event. Every Chinese New Year, she would write Spring Festival couplets for herself and her friends. The traditional custom of posting Spring Festival couplets during the New Year is also popular among the Chinese community in Indonesia.
Calligraphy enthusiasts wrote on the spot. Photo by Chen Shimeng
In Zhang Wanying’s view, calligraphy can calm the mind. Therefore, when she is nearly 80 years old, she insists on spending three days a week to practice cursive writing, which lasts four or five hours at a time. A cursive calligraphy of "A prosperous age of dragons" is her greatest wish for the New Year and the future.
At the end of the event, Hu Sudan said she hoped that this event would attract more calligraphy enthusiasts and contribute to the inheritance of the quintessence of Chinese calligraphy and Chinese culture. “I hope calligraphy can be passed down among young people and blossom in Indonesia.” (over)