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Calligraphy, painting bring peace of mind
By Yan Wu and Wang Jie |
October 25, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA is a country with unique charms, especially in the artistry of calligraphy and painting. Chinese through the centuries have believed that one should read as extensively as possible, embrace learning as a life-long hobby, and most importantly, strive for peace of mind and spiritual enlightenment through cultural pursuits.
When people come of age, they have accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge. If they choose to learn some calligraphy or painting skills, even as amateurs, they will be able to express their inner thoughts through art on paper.
That has been the experience of senior citizens living in Zhenxin Community in Jiading.
Since 2003, the local community has run several calligraphy and painting courses for its elder residents. Held twice a year and encompassing 32 class hours per course, calligraphy and painting lessons have attracted almost 1,000 participants so far.
The "students" not only learn calligraphy or painting skills but they also make new friends.
Guo Cuitang, 89, lives in Fengzhuang. At the entrance to his apartment block, he has erected a blackboard. Every morning, he wrote the latest weather forecast on the board for his fellow residents. The residents loved it, but Guo's granddaughter complained of the poor handwriting.
Prodded by her criticism, Guo took the calligraphy course and practiced every day. Now when he puts up the daily weather forecasts, the sunny skies or rainy outlook are heralded in very neat characters. "Handsome," commented a fellow senior. "Handsome."
Yao Yunzhen, 84, is a retired teacher. She took both the calligraphy and the painting courses, and never missed a class. Whenever she finished a creation, she would take it to her classmates for comments. Now she counsels the young not to idle away their time but keep learning all their life.
With more than 200 members, the Zhenxin Neighborhood Society of Calligraphy and Painting organizes an exhibition every year for "students" to showcase their talents and achievements.
When people come of age, they have accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge. If they choose to learn some calligraphy or painting skills, even as amateurs, they will be able to express their inner thoughts through art on paper.
That has been the experience of senior citizens living in Zhenxin Community in Jiading.
Since 2003, the local community has run several calligraphy and painting courses for its elder residents. Held twice a year and encompassing 32 class hours per course, calligraphy and painting lessons have attracted almost 1,000 participants so far.
The "students" not only learn calligraphy or painting skills but they also make new friends.
Guo Cuitang, 89, lives in Fengzhuang. At the entrance to his apartment block, he has erected a blackboard. Every morning, he wrote the latest weather forecast on the board for his fellow residents. The residents loved it, but Guo's granddaughter complained of the poor handwriting.
Prodded by her criticism, Guo took the calligraphy course and practiced every day. Now when he puts up the daily weather forecasts, the sunny skies or rainy outlook are heralded in very neat characters. "Handsome," commented a fellow senior. "Handsome."
Yao Yunzhen, 84, is a retired teacher. She took both the calligraphy and the painting courses, and never missed a class. Whenever she finished a creation, she would take it to her classmates for comments. Now she counsels the young not to idle away their time but keep learning all their life.
With more than 200 members, the Zhenxin Neighborhood Society of Calligraphy and Painting organizes an exhibition every year for "students" to showcase their talents and achievements.
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