President of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore Tan Siah Kwee (first from the left) and Chen Hongwu (third from the left), Secretary General of the International Calligraphers Federation and the Party Secretary of China Calligraphers Association, demonstrated the calligrapher work of Singaporean President Halimah Yacob (second from the left). (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
SINGAPORE, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 13rd International Calligraphy Exchange Exhibition kicked off here Saturday with a total 386 exhibits from over 20 countries and regions.
Singaporean President Halimah Yacob officiated the opening of the exhibition.
The show was initiated by the International Calligraphers' Federation and organized by the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore. It attracted calligraphers from Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America and South America to hand in their works, which are displayed in three venues, namely the Singapore Calligraphy Center, the Singapore China Culture Center and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Center.
Over 200 calligraphers also attended the exhibition, which is part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore.
Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Hong Xiaoyong(third from the left), and Singaporean President Halimah Yacob (fourth from the left ) and President of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore Tan Siah Kwee (fifth from the left) cut the 50th birthday cake of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
In her congratulatory message, Halimah Yacob said the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore has made significant contributions to Singapore's arts and culture landscape. Through calligraphy classes and the National Huichun Calligraphy Convention, they have helped deepen cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.
She also expressed the belief that the exhibition would lead to new cultural exchanges and the strengthening of ties and friendships among different countries and regions.
The president also demonstrated at the opening ceremony her calligraphy by brush writing a Chinese word "Ji," which means luckiness.
The show will run until Sept. 30.