BEIJING: On a warm sunny afternoon before the the Double Ninth Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday to show respect to the elderly, 102-year-old Chen Zhongcai started livestreaming his calligraphy class at a cultural activity center in Shuiche village, Zhejiang province.
Around 20 people gathered with the gray-haired Chen, who was dressed in a black and red coat.
In front of them were tables, Chinese paper, ink containers and brushes.
Chen began learning Chinese calligraphy when he was 15 and has since practiced every day. Previously as a Chinese teacher at a primary school, Chen had taught calligraphy in his spare time. After retirement four decades ago, he devoted himself to teaching the art to nearby residents and spent up to four hours a day in class.
Before each class, Chen prepares samples and gives them to students. “It’s important to hold the brush to the real palm, move the brush to the wrist and gradually lift and hang the wrist,” Chen told the livestream class.
Students gave Chen a nickname — “teacher Cai” — which means talented teacher in English. A 39-year-old resident, Chen Zexu, is one of his students.
– The Daily Mail-China Daily News exchange item
