As the curtain was about to fall on 2025 and the dawn of 2026 approached, more than 100 Chinese and international teachers and students from East China Normal University gathered on the first floor of the University Student Activity Center at the Putuo Campus on December 31st for a special "Write Spring Festival Couplets" calligraphy and painting event. This event not only marked the arrival of the new year but also served as a vivid bridge for cultural exchange, allowing the charm of traditional Chinese culture to bloom in the interactions among participants.
Traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual backbone of the Chinese nation, and calligraphy and painting, as brilliant treasures within it, are powerful vehicles for nurturing sentiments and warming the soul. On the day of the event, the venue was filled with the fragrance of ink. Teachers and students picked up writing brushes, dipped them in ink, and let their creativity flow on red paper. Some carefully crafted couplets with auspicious meanings, while others vividly depicted the character "Fu" (blessing) in various styles.
For international students, this event was a fascinating journey of cultural exploration. Bai Lanxin, a sophomore from Turkey at the School of International Chinese Studies, shared her feelings: "I knew nothing about Chinese calligraphy before, but now I can recognize Chinese characters and master their strokes. I wish everyone a Happy New Year!"
Yalan, a Mongolian student participating for the first time, expressed her sincere feelings: "Writing couplets and 'Fu' characters with my own hands allowed me to truly feel the charm and elegance of Chinese characters. It's an unforgettable experience."
Shi Ruyi, an international student from Bulgaria, was invited by her Chinese friends to join the event. Despite facing challenges during the practice, she gained a great deal: " A trip to Beijing two years ago made me fall deeply in love with China. I hope to improve my Chinese through such activities and pursue my dreams in China in the future."
Yang Jiani, the current president of the Moyuan Calligraphy and Painting Club, has had a passion for calligraphy and painting since childhood. "Under the careful guidance of teachers, I not only systematically learned professional knowledge and skills in calligraphy and painting but also developed sincere friendships with like-minded peers. In the new year, I hope to be like 'a little fish' in the lyrics, swimming freely in the ocean of calligraphy and painting art and finding my own piece of the sea."
Beyond writing Spring Festival couplets and "Fu" characters, teachers and students also collaborated on traditional Chinese paintings. Amidst the blending of ink and brush, students admired the artistic conception of traditional Chinese painting, feeling the unique charm of this ancient art form that combines form and spirit.
Laughter echoed alongside the scent of ink throughout the event. This activity not only allowed Chinese and international teachers and students to experience the joy of welcoming the new year together but also promoted the inheritance and dissemination of excellent traditional Chinese culture. It laid a solid foundation for deeper cultural exchanges and mutual understanding, letting the friendship between Chinese and foreign youth flourish in the artistic and spiritual atmosphere as they march forward hand in hand into the new journey of 2026.
Source：Da Xia College, School of International Chinese Studies
Author: Xu Xincheng
