The Chinese New Year is around the corner. To promote traditional calligraphy culture and add to festive atmosphere, the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall under the Ministry of Culture held the spring couplets writing activity “Auspicious Snake Welcomes Spring with Joy” on the west plaza of the Reflective Pool in Chungshan Cultural Park to symbolize full auspiciousness and fortune in 2025, the Year of Snake.
Spring couplets writing is to express expectations towards a prosperous new year. This year’s first-writing ceremony invited 10 distinguished guests, including Director Hsiao Tsung-huang of the National Palace Museum, Director-general Wang Lan-sheng of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chang Wen-te, Chairman Lian Sheng-yan of the Chinese Calligraphy and Arts Foundation, Calligraphy Institute Director Yang Shu-tang of the Chinese Academy of Culture and Arts, Chairman Lin Liang-yin of The Republic of China Society for Calligraphy Education, Chungshan Award winner of the Chungshan Youth Art Awards, Su Zi-jing, General Manager Guo Ming-tang of Wang Bang Construction Co., Ltd, Store Manager Li Yin-feng of Bigtom Super Premium Ice Cream, and representative of the retired colleagues, Zhu Guo-ping, to write the spring couplets created by famous calligrapher Yang Shu-tang, “With the dragon’s victory, a bountiful year awaits. With the snake’s dance, prosperity endures through the long spring.”
Director-general Wang Lan-sheng of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall stated that the hall had held the spring couplets writing activity before Spring Festival for twenty years, which echoes the 30-year tradition of Taipei City New Year Shopping Street and symbolizes auspiciousness and fortune. This year, as the hall is undergoing renovation, the activity is moved from indoors to outdoors. On the beautiful sunny day, he wished all guests and friends who supported the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall good luck in the Year of Snake and happiness during the Spring Festival.
Director Hsiao Tsung-huang of the National Palace Museum stated that according to traditional customs, the opening of stores, the resumption of businesses, theatrical premieres, and the hall’s first-writing ceremony all symbolize the start of a new year and new atmosphere. The events held by the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall always attract a large crowd, making it the best place for leisure and entertainment for the public. He looked forward to the reopening of the hall next year that would provide the citizens with a better art and cultural space. Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chang Wen-te also extended his special wishes to the citizens for a year of family peace and safety and for all wishes to come true.
Since 2005, the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall has held the spring couplets writing activity on the eve of every Spring Festival. Besides adding to festive atmosphere, it is also hoped to provide the public with the opportunity to access and learn about calligraphy so that traditional art can be passed on through the combination with the custom of writing spring couplets. The activity started with Dongshan Taiko Troupe at 9:30, and Lapic Culture and Art Troupe was also specially invited to perform aboriginal songs and dances. Besides, twenty calligraphy groups were invited to set up booths, where calligraphers wrote spring couplets on-site to give to visitors. It was a successful conclusion of today’s activity. For more information, please visit the official website of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, www.yatsen.gov.tw, or call the service counter, 02-2758-8008#546.