As the Chinese New Year approaches, the Year of the Snake, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) held its ninth Spring Couplet Calligraphy Festival and 2025 Cultural & Creative Market on campus on January 9.

The event featured esteemed calligraphers from the Shenzhen Calligraphy Association, who elegantly penned Spring Festival couplets, sharing heartfelt New Year blessings with faculty members and students.

The event was attended by Ling ZHANG, University Council Vice-Chairperson, along with Dejun WANG and Dawang LI, Head and Deputy Head of the Calligraphy and Painting Association of SUSTech, respectively.

Other attendees included Xiu JIN, Vice Chairperson of the Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art; Jing LI, Chairman of the Shenzhen Calligraphy Association; Xianliang CAI, Curator of the He Xiangning Art Museum; Hui ZHAO, Director of the Institute of Calligraphy at Shenzhen University; and Zupan ZONG, Deputy Director of the Institute of Cultural Industries at Shenzhen University.

Xiu JIN remarked that the Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles has followed a people-centered mission, organizing a wide range of vibrant cultural and artistic activities. The Shenzhen Calligraphers Association has leveraged its expertise to preserve and promote China’s rich traditional culture in ways that resonate with the public.

She underscored that events such as the Spring Couplet Calligraphy Festival at SUSTech not only bring artistic energy to campus life, but also serve as a tangible effort by the Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art and the Shenzhen Calligraphers Association to promote cultural prosperity and contribute to building a culturally strong nation.

Vice-Chairperson Ling ZHANG highlighted that SUSTech’s rapid, high-quality development is deeply rooted in Shenzhen and is made possible by the strong support of the broader community. This annual festival, attended by renowned calligraphers, has enriched campus culture, embodied the essence of traditional Chinese culture, and continually gained momentum through its ongoing success, further promoting the integration of university and city culture.

Looking ahead to the new year, with the support of society and the collective efforts of faculty members and students, Vice-Chairperson ZHANG added that the University will remain committed to advancing campus cultural development and driving forward its high-quality growth.

At the end of the opening ceremony, Xiu JIN and Ling ZHANG jointly launched the ninth Spring Couplet Calligraphy Festival.

The calligraphers skillfully crafted a series of red couplets imbued with the rich fragrance of ink. The character “福” (Fú), symbolizing good fortune, gleamed under the sunlight, creating a festive spirit and joyful atmosphere on campus as faculty members and students celebrated the upcoming Spring Festival.

In the exhibition area, the Calligraphy and Painting Association of SUSTech displayed a selection of calligraphy and painting works created by faculty members and staff. Meanwhile, the Cultural & Creative Market offered a variety of activities, including a “highlight moment” photo booth, calligraphy experiences, tea tastings, as well as showcasing cultural products from various departments of the University and entrepreneurial ventures by alumni.

Both faculty and students expressed their enjoyment of the festivities, noting how the combination of writing Spring Festival couplets and exploring the Cultural & Creative Market, where traditional culture and creative innovation intersect, helped create a vibrant and meaningful New Year atmosphere.

The event was sponsored by the Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles and SUSTech, and co-organized by the Shenzhen Calligraphy Association, Office of Communications & Public Relations at SUSTech, Education Foundation of SUSTech, Trade Union of SUSTech, Youth League Committee of SUSTech, and the Shenzhen Longguang Painting and Calligraphy Institute.

The Spring Couplet Calligraphy Festival and the Cultural & Creative Market is an important event for culture building, designed to enrich campus life by creating a prosperous and joyful atmosphere throughout the University.