Recently, the secondary section of China (Hong Kong) English School (CHES) welcomed its 15th Chinese Traditional Culture and Arts Festival. Centered on the theme "Carrying Forward the Cultural Heritage of China, Blossoming Youthful Brilliance," the festival was organized by the Liberal Arts Department and featured a diverse range of activities, including a hard-pen calligraphy competition, a traditional culture experience fair, an art exhibition, and visits from renowned calligraphers, offering students immersive experiences that deepen their appreciation for the profound charm of Chinese traditional culture and strengthen cultural confidence and national identity.

▲Painting Peking Opera face masks

The festival kicked off with a solemn hard-pen calligraphy contest, where students sat in quiet concentration, writing steadily and confidently, showcasing the elegance and spirit of Chinese characters within limited space. The traditional culture experience zone was vibrant and colorful — lion dances brought joy, riddles hidden in lanterns sparked curiosity, archery games like "touhu" offered refined fun, fans came alive with brushstrokes, handmade yunjian (traditional shoulder wraps) shimmered in the light, paper-cutting bloomed with intricate designs, and fragrant sachets filled the air. Over ten traditional activities transformed the campus into a living cultural corridor, allowing students to feel the warmth of a thousand-year-old civilization through learning and play.

▲Archery skills must-know

▲Touhu contest 

The event also invited Mr Liang Bin, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Zhongshan Calligraphers Association, to visit the campus. He delivered a special lecture titled "A Glimpse into Ink Techniques" and guided tours of the traveling exhibition "Ode to Women" and student artwork displays. Starting from the evolution of seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive scripts, Mr Liang explained principles of calligraphy appreciation, demonstrated his skills live, and encouraged students to gather around, observe closely, and boldly experiment with ink and brush, turning theory into vivid, hands-on practice.

▲Calligrapher Mr Liang Bin provides on-site guidance

As an international school rooted in the Greater Bay Area and connected to the world, CHES has consistently hosted this annual festival for fifteen consecutive years. While fostering global perspectives, the school remains deeply committed to nurturing and passing on China's fine traditional culture, earning recognition as a Zhongshan City Traditional Chinese Culture Inheritance Base.