22nd Calligrapher Sage Culture Festival opens in Linyi, showcasing enduring calligraphy heritage

The 22nd Calligrapher Sage Culture Festival of Linyi opened on the morning of Sept. 22 at the former residence of Wang Xizhi, the renowned calligrapher known as the "Sage of Calligraphy."

Running through Oct. 21, this year's festival carries the theme "Hometown of the Calligrapher Sage · China Calligraphy City."

At the opening ceremony, Linyi joined hands with Xuzhou, Kaifeng,Anyang,Hangzhou, Shaoxing,  Xiangtan，and Xiangyang — all cities renowned for calligraphy. Representatives of the nine calligraphy cities jointly issued the "Calligraphy Heritage and Urban Development" initiative to strengthen cultural exchange and cooperation on resource sharing, joint talent cultivation, co-building of cultural brands, and mutual promotion of culture and tourism.

In addition to the opening ceremony, the cultural event features 23 events under three major sections — the "Langya Ink Gathering" calligraphy and painting exhibition, the "Hanmo Carnival" cultural-tourism experience, and the "Calligrapher Sage Fair" cultural consumption activities — aimed at precisely meeting the diverse cultural needs of residents and building a cultural celebration created and shared by all.

As the "Hometown of the Calligrapher Sage" and a "China Famous Calligraphy City," Linyi boasts a long and time-honored calligraphy heritage. Since 2003, the city has successfully hosted 21 editions of the festival, and the 22nd edition kicked off this year.

In 2011, the opening ceremony of the 9th festival was held at the former residence of Wang Xizhi. Fifteen years later, the 22nd edition has brought the opening ceremony back to this historic site, allowing the nationally influential festival brand to return to its roots and draw strength from its cultural heritage. 

Visitors strolling by the Ink Washing Pond and the Book Drying Terrace can now experience firsthand that the "Hometown of the Calligrapher Sage" is not merely a title, but a living, tangible cultural site to be explored, touched and appreciated.

Editor：Lotus