By Guo Weiran, Zhang Menghan
As the golden hues of autumn graced the campus, Yahan Academy at the School of International Studies, Communication University of China (CUC), once again celebrated its tradition of integrating art and education. Under the theme “The Beauty of CUC · Everlasting Brilliance,” the Academy organized a special calligraphy event in response to the CUC Calligraphy and Painting Association’s initiative to collect works celebrating the spirit and beauty of the university.
A Prelude in Ink
The initiative began in early summer, when students from Yahan Academy’s 2025 Enlightenment and Heart-Nurturing Program were encouraged to take part in the “Beauty of CUC” calligraphy campaign. On September 25, the long-awaited writing session unfolded, featuring fan-shaped calligraphy paper that symbolized the harmony of “heaven and earth within bounds.” With brushes in hand, students immersed themselves in the world of ink and rhythm—some carefully tracing classic scripts, others freely expressing their artistic vision.
The exhibition featured a calligraphic compilation titled “The Great Beauty of CUC, Ever Fresh and Renewed.”
A Gathering of Minds and Hearts
The event blended ink and cultural exchange.Professor Zhang Zhiqi and a Japanese exchange student joined the writing session, while Teacher Man shared heartfelt stories about Yahan Academy’s ten-year journey in nurturing students through culture and art. Together with counselors Chen Lina and Wang Qian, teachers and students wrote side by side, appreciating not only the beauty of calligraphy but also its deeper meaning as a form of cultural expression.
The event also received strong support from CUC alumni. Xu Tingqiu, a 2022 graduate majoring in Italian and former president of the CUC Calligraphy and Painting Association, shared her experiences and reflections online from her workplace. Meanwhile, Zhang Yimin, a 2018 alumnus in Communication Engineering and recipient of the first prize at the Beijing College Students’ Calligraphy Competition, contributed new works despite his busy schedule, showing his continued dedication to the initiative.
Professor Zhang Zhiqi and a Japanese exchange student also took part in the writing session.
“Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step – Enlightening the Mind and Nurturing the Heart,” calligraphy by Man Yunhan, in Regular Script (Kaishu).
Du Fu’s poem “Choosing a Residence”, calligraphy by Zhang Yimin (Communication Engineering, Class of 2018), in Running Script (Xingshu).
Artwork by alumna Xu Tingqiu, exhibited at the “Ink and Brush at CUC” Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition (2021).
Tradition and Renewal
Li Xingyu, president of the CUC Calligraphy and Painting Association and a junior majoring in New Media Arts, designed the themed copybook “The Beauty of CUC · Everlasting Brilliance” and invited fellow members to participate. Guided by the General Education Center, the Association—one of CUC’s “Top Ten Student Societies”—brings together enthusiasts of calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, serving as a vibrant platform for artistic exchange on campus.
During the event, Wu Qingyi, an Italian major from the Class of 2024, demonstrated brush techniques with patience and precision, exemplifying Yahan Academy’s long-standing mentorship tradition. Between writing sessions, a brief tea ceremony added a poetic touch to the atmosphere—cups of fragrant jasmine tea symbolized both respect for Chinese tradition and warm wishes for the Academy’s future.
“Seven-Character Regulated Verse: Ode to CUC,” calligraphy by Li Xingyu (Class of 2024, New Media Arts), in Regular Script (Kaishu). Photo courtesy of CUC.
Writing the Spirit of CUC
Every brushstroke carried emotion; every finished piece embodied sincerity. Participants wrote not only characters but also their aspirations, gratitude, and dreams. The calligraphy works captured the spirit of CUC—its pursuit of beauty, its harmony between tradition and innovation, and its commitment to cultivating well-rounded individuals grounded in cultural confidence.
What unfolded that day was far more than an art activity; it was a living classroom of cultural inheritance and aesthetic education. Through calligraphy, students experienced the inner calm and mindfulness that accompany artistic creation, deepening their understanding of how traditional art continues to nurture the modern mind. The event thus stood as both a heartfelt reflection on Yahan Academy’s decade-long journey in promoting aesthetic education and a spirited opening to its next chapter.
As brushes danced and ink flowed, Yahan Academy reaffirmed its belief that art and education share a common essence—the cultivation of wisdom and virtue through creativity. The “Beauty of CUC” calligraphy event was not only a celebration of artistry but also a demonstration of cultural confidence in an increasingly interconnected world. It showed that calligraphy, while rooted in Chinese tradition, remains a universal language of emotion, discipline, and self-expression.
Ink, Culture, and Continuity
In a world defined by constant change, Yahan Academy continues to serve as a sanctuary for stillness, reflection, and renewal. Each participant—student, teacher, or alumnus—contributed a stroke to a larger masterpiece: a collective expression of devotion to CUC’s cultural heritage and its ever-evolving spirit. The ink may dry, but its resonance endures.
Let us keep writing with heart—to cultivate character, seek harmony, and illuminate the future through art.May the seeds of traditional Chinese art, planted through events like this, continue to flourish in the fertile soil of media education. And may the “Beauty of CUC” remain, in every sense, ever radiant and ever new.
Yahan Academy of the School of International Studies Held the “Beauty of CUC” Calligraphy Event on September 25.
Editor: Fang Yiran
Responsible Editor: Shao Jianyu
Managing Editors: Song Qing, Chen Yiwen
