Chinese calligraphy festival highlights cultural exchange in Bangladesh
Chinese embassy-backed calligraphy event at Dhaka University draws students and teachers to explore ancient Chinese art and cultural exchange traditions
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — The University of Dhaka hosted a cultural event celebrating Chinese artistic traditions on Thursday as students, teachers and visitors gathered for the Lanting Chinese Calligraphy Culture Salon 2026 on the campus.
The event, held at the university’s Mall Chattar area, was organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Dhaka with support from the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.
The program introduced participants to Chinese calligraphy, a form of artistic writing regarded as one of China’s most important traditional art forms with roots stretching back thousands of years.
Attendees were invited to observe demonstrations and practice writing Chinese characters themselves using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink. Organizers said the activity allowed visitors to experience the techniques and aesthetic principles that define the centuries-old craft.
Chinese calligraphy, which blends visual art and written language, has long been considered a central element of Chinese cultural heritage. Practitioners emphasize brush control, rhythm and balance to transform written characters into expressive artistic compositions.
As part of the event’s cultural activities, participants were also invited to wear hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing associated with historical Han Chinese culture. The activity added a visual dimension to the celebration and allowed attendees to experience elements of Chinese heritage beyond calligraphy.
One of the day’s highlights was a collaborative project in which visitors worked together to create a long calligraphy scroll. Students and guests contributed characters to the artwork, turning the activity into a collective demonstration of the craft.
Ma Yuncong, a Chinese engineer working in Bangladesh who also practices calligraphy, said the art form had been part of his life since childhood. He recalled learning calligraphy from his grandfather and practicing for years before moving to Bangladesh for work.
He said events like the one at Dhaka University help introduce traditional Chinese culture to people who may not otherwise encounter the art form.
Li Shaofeng, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, described the event as an example of cultural diplomacy between the two countries. According to organizers and participants, such programs can help build understanding between societies with long civilizational histories and encourage people-to-people connections.
The salon formed part of broader cultural exchange initiatives between China and Bangladesh, which frequently include language education programs, artistic events and academic cooperation through institutions such as Confucius Institutes.
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