Changsha holds cross-Strait Chinese character art exchange program

International students show their creative works during the 2026 Changsha-Taiwan Chinese Character Art and Cultural Exchange Program in Changsha, Hunan province, on April 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The 2026 Changsha-Taiwan Chinese Character Art and Cultural Exchange Program, launched by the Hunan Songdan Chinese Character Art Museum, is being held in Changsha, Hunan province, from Feb. 15 to May 20.

The theme of the program is "Chinese Characters Across the Strait: Painting a Shared Heart." Open to all who have a passion for traditional Chinese culture, the event encourages young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait as well as international students to explore the beauty of Chinese characters through diverse forms such as seal carving, calligraphy, and creative painting.

The 2026 Changsha-Taiwan Chinese Character Art and Cultural Exchange Program is held in Changsha, Hunan province, on April 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

At the event, international students, guided by professional instructors, learned about the origins and evolution of Chinese characters, their structural forms, and rich connotations, gaining an appreciation of the Eastern wisdom embodied in them.

During the creative session, international students unleashed their imagination, combining Chinese characters with their own cultural backgrounds and life experiences to produce a series of distinctive works. Meanwhile, professional instructors offered hands-on guidance, patiently correcting stroke order and explaining the aesthetic techniques of Chinese characters to help students better express their appreciation for the script.

In addition to the on-site creative session, international students also toured the museum's Chinese character art exhibition, appreciating outstanding works from previous editions, listening to the cultural stories behind the characters, and experiencing the unique charm of Chinese characters.

International students produce creative works during the 2026 Changsha-Taiwan Chinese Character Art and Cultural Exchange Program in Changsha, Hunan province, on April 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

"This event truly allowed me to step into the world of Chinese characters," said an international student from Sudan. "I hadn't realized that each character carries its own story and power."

"Chinese characters are the root and soul of Chinese culture, serving as an important bond connecting people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait," said Chen Xiaoyu, deputy director of the Hunan Songdan Chinese Character Art Museum.

"This program has not only built a bridge for cultural interaction between young people across the Strait, but also opened a window for international students to better understand Chinese culture," Chen said.