With the support of Universiti Malaysia Sabah through the Confucius Institute at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (CI@UMS), Changsha University of Science & Technology (CSUST) recently co-hosted a four-day calligraphy cultural exchange week titled “Huxiang Charm · Emotions in Ink” in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The event was jointly organised with the Hunan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Hunan Calligraphers Association, and the Sabah Kota Kinabalu Chinese Calligraphy Association. This initiative significantly deepened cultural exchanges between Malaysia and China and promoted the global reach of Huxiang calligraphy.
The cultural delegation was led by the Hunan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, with CSUST’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchange serving as a vital coordinating bridge. In close collaboration with CI@UMS, the delegation curated a series of rich and diverse cultural activities.
During the four-day programme, in-depth interactions regarding Chinese Calligraphy were carried out. The event officially commenced at CI@UMS. Mr. Ni Wenhua, a member of the Party Group and Vice Chairman of the Hunan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, as well as Vice Chairman of the Hunan Calligraphers Association, delivered a high-level calligraphy lecture to CI@UMS staff, students, and local enthusiasts. His talk vividly explained how to cultivate creative capacity in calligraphy through intellectual depth, aesthetic sensibility, and practical skills, receiving enthusiastic responses from the audience.
The delegation also visited the headquarters of the Sabah Kota Kinabalu Chinese Calligraphy Association, where they engaged in meaningful discussions with local calligraphers and association members. Topics included artistic technique, creative philosophy, and cultural heritage, fostering a warm and engaging exchange.
In a visit to SJK(C) St. Peter Telipok—a model institution for Chinese Calligraphy education in Sabah—the Chinese Calligraphers conducted live demonstrations and guided students in writing practice, effectively sparking the children's interest in Chinese culture.
A joint calligraphy session, organised by the Sabah Kota Kinabalu Chinese Calligraphy Association, brought together artists and enthusiasts from both regions. As brushes met paper, bonds were forged through art, culminating in a cultural climax.
At the gathering, the “CI@UMS Calligraphy Research and Innovation Base” was officially established and unveiled at CI@UMS. The launch of this base signifies a new phase of institutionalised and sustained cooperation in calligraphy exchange between both places.
The successful hosting of the “Huxiang Charm · Emotions in Ink” Calligraphy Cultural Exchange Week exemplifies the proactive international engagement of the Hunan Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Hunan Calligraphers Association. It also reflects CSUST’s effective utilisation of the Confucius Institute platform overseas, working in tandem with local partners to advance the global promotion of Chinese culture.
