On April 25, in celebration of the 17th United Nations Chinese Language Day and the 7th International Chinese Language Day, Confucius Institute at the Middle East Technical University (METU CI) successfully held  Chinese Pen Calligraphy Calligraphy Competition, as an important part of its 2026 Chinese Language Day cultural events series.

Before the competition began, teachers from METU CI introduced the background and cultural significance of International Chinese Language Day to the participants and provided a detailed explanation of the competition procedures, judging criteria, and writing content. A total of 80 students registered for the event. The selected writing materials featured representative classical Chinese poems, emphasizing not only the demonstration of writing techniques but also the profound cultural heritage embodied in Chinese literature. The competition aimed to comprehensively assess students' understanding of Chinese character structure, aesthetic appreciation, and calligraphic composition.

Participants remained calm and focused as they wrote, skillfully combining the beauty of Chinese character strokes with their own interpretations and understanding. All participants demonstrated a positive learning attitude and strong enthusiasm for Chinese language and culture. Through every carefully written stroke, they expressed appreciation for the art of Chinese calligraphy.

After the competition, the judges conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the works from multiple dimensions, including writing accuracy, character structure, layout, and artistic expression. In the end, 20 students stood out and received first, second, and third prizes, as well as excellence awards. The winning works will be displayed on METU CI's photo wall to further create a vibrant Chinese-learning atmosphere and inspire students' enthusiasm for studying Chinese characters and Chinese culture.

METU CI has long been committed to improving Chinese language education and Chinese culture in Türkiye. Upholding the philosophy of “language as a bridge and culture as a medium,” METU CI continuously expands both the forms and content of its cultural activities. Through this Chinese Pen Calligraphy Calligraphy Competition, students not only improved their Chinese character writing skills and aesthetic literacy, but also deepened their understanding and appreciation of traditional Chinese culture. Looking ahead, METU CI  will continue to build diverse and enriching cultural exchange platforms, helping Chinese language learners gain deeper cultural experiences beyond language study and further promoting mutual understanding and people-to-people connectivity between Chinese and Turkish youth.