Calligraphy is considered to be a classic art form pursued by adults, but the fact that nearly 1,000 young students are studying it in Hanoi belies the claim.
They gather together at various clubs like the Young Calligraphers Club of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
"We founded the club in November last year with an aim to provide a meeting place for calligraphy aficionados," said Chairman Nguyen Duc Ba. "Anyone fond of this art can register to be a member, free of charge."
The club includes 30 members from various universities like the Foreign Languages University, the Architecture University and the National Economics University, but they are bound together by a common passion for the traditional art form.
With support from the Youth Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and several veteran calligraphers, the club holds regular activities every Thursday, according to Ba.
"Thanks to the university’s encouragement, we can meet and exchange ideas at the Youth Union’s office every week," said Ba. "The members are provided paper, pen brush and ink with which they can practise."
"On Tet (the Lunar New Year), I often visit Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) to reflect on the calligraphy written by Confucian scholars," said Dinh Thi Hai yen the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. "At first, I joined the club because I was curious but now, I’m very passionate about it.
"Calligraphy is an art of writing, and learning how to use a pen brush to create a strong or weak stroke is a long process."
Ho Thi Lien Huong, who studies at the same university feels the same way.
"At the beginning, I spent several sessions learning the writing posture and holding the pen correctly," said Huong. "It took me a long time to learn just one simple hanging stroke."
While it is a painstaking process, those learning it say it is worth it.
"Learning calligraphy has helped me cultivate my mind," said Yen. "I have become more patient since I began learning this art.
"Different stroke express the writer’s different moods and I feel more calm in the face of life’s troubles."
"Asian countries like Japan, China and South Korea each have their own form of calligraphic art and the same is true for Viet nam " said Ba. "We want to popularise this art through the club."
Ba’s club has attended several calligraphic exhibitions such as Ho Chi Minh’s Poetry Through Vietnamese-Chinese Calligraphy.
Ba hopes the club will hold many more exhibitions.
"With the support of calligrapher Nguyen Van Thanh who works at the Institute of Han-Nom Studies, we often hold small seminars for members," said Ba. "The students will learn more about Vietnamese calligraphy from veteran calligraphers like Thanh.
"We intend to have new classes as even youngsters are fond of learning calligraphy and are attracted to the free classes," he explained. "They will be taught by the more skilful members of the clubs."
The club’s management board is planning a beginner’s course in July according to Le Phuong Duy, deputy chairman of the club.
"We have held new courses at the Friendship Cultural Palace for young students who want to learn traditional calligraphy on a regular basis," said Duy.
"Last year, we held a course at 456 Hoang Hoa Tham Street and many youths applied. Next month’s course will see about 15 lectures, hopefully at the Children’s Cultural Palace in Ha noi "
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities will encourage the Youths Calligraphers Club to become fully operational soon, according to Pham Cuong, deputy secretary of the university’s Youth Union.
"The Youth Union will support the club financially and provide venues in which activities can be held," said Cuong.
(Source: VNS)
Tag: Asia , Exhibition , Ha Noi , Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh , Japan , Viet Nam , Vietnam , Vietnamese Calligraphy draws student interest
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