Zhanjiang opened its largest and highest-level calligraphy exhibition on Jan 20 at the city's painting and calligraphy gallery, displaying 200 works from 100 winners of the Lanting Award, the top prize for Chinese calligraphers.

The exhibition will be staggered in three phases, with the first 70 works of the total 200 on display until Feb 10. Calligraphy styles such as seal script and official script (clerical) will be on show.

At the opening ceremony of Zhanjiang's largest calligraphy exhibition on Jan 20, a calligrapher presents his work. [Photo / zjphoto.yinsha.com]

The organizers, namely the Zhanjiang Culture Broadcasting News and Publishing Agency and Zhanjiang painting and calligraphy gallery, have spent a whole year collecting extraordinary calligraphy works from the Lanting Award winners.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 400 government officials, artists, journalists, and calligraphy lovers from home and abroad, and more than 10 famous calligraphers such as Han Cunli and Wu Desheng.

Visitors admire outstanding calligraphy works. [Photo / zjphoto.yinsha.com]

The Lanting Award was established in 2001 to honor those who have made contributions to the development of calligraphy. It is named after the famous Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Poem Collections (Lanting Xu), the essay and calligraphic work by Chinese ancient artist Wang Xizhi (AD 303-361).

So far, it has been awarded to a large number of calligraphers for their exquisite skills during five prize presenting ceremonies which are sponsored by China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and China Calligraphers Association.

Several foreign artists attend the opening ceremony of the exhibition. [Photo / zjphoto.yinsha.com]

According to an officer at the gallery, the exhibition is held with the hope that people will inherit the innovative spirit found in lines and strokes — learning from past masterpieces and pursuing new changes.

"Such a large-scale activity is rarely seen in our country," said Han Cunli, a famous Chinese artist. "It is important to inherit and spread Chinese calligraphy art and commemorate famous names from past dynasties."

Admirers take pictures of calligraphers showing off their skills. [Photo / zjphoto.yinsha.com]

The show also included a Q&A session on calligraphy.