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2025 World Children and Youth Calligraphy Competition

2025世界兒童及青少年書法比賽.png

IMPORTANT TIMELINE:

Registration Deadline:03-12-2025

Submission Deadline:04-12-2025

Announcement Date:12-12-2025

Registration Fee
Free


Nature of the Competition
Global Call


Age Categories

  • Preschool Group (3-5 years)

  • Young Children Group (6-7 years)

  • Children Group (8-9 years)

  • Pre-Teens Group (10-11 years)

  • Teenagers Group (12-13 years)

  • Youth Group (14-15 years)

  • Young Adults Group (16-18 years)

  • Open Group (19 years and above)


Submission Format

  • Works can be submitted through website upload, WhatsApp, Email, etc.; only one submission method is needed.

  • Please name the work according to the competition requirements.

Awards

  • Champion — 90 points or above

  • Runner-up — 80 points or above

  • Third Place — 70 points or above

  • Excellence Award — Remaining scorers

Competition Awards for Mentors and Groups

⭐ Excellence Mentor Award

⭐ Outstanding Group Award

 

 

Competition Content

  • In terms of creation forms and tools, participants can adopt a wide range of calligraphy styles and techniques, including but not limited to regular script (Kaishu), cursive script (Caoshu), running script (Xingshu), official script (Lishu), seal script (Zhuanshu), and original calligraphy creations (e.g., integrating traditional scripts with modern aesthetic elements). They may use traditional calligraphy tools (such as writing brushes of different sizes, rice paper/xuan paper, high-quality ink sticks, ink stones, and paperweights) for their creations, or choose auxiliary tools like adjustable brush holders (for beginners to stabilize hand movements), ink absorbers (to control ink amount on paper), and seal carving tools (for adding personalized seals to works) to enhance their calligraphy expressions. Whether it is a solo calligraphy work, a collaborative creation with multiple participants (e.g., each person writing a segment of a text), a calligraphy piece combined with simple traditional painting elements (e.g., adding small ink-wash flowers beside calligraphy), or a work with themed content (e.g., festive verses, classic poems), participants are encouraged to create works in any form, so as to give full play to their personal calligraphy strengths and creative ideas.

  • Participants are required to submit their works in the form of high-quality image files. The images must ensure clear and high-resolution visuals, accurately capturing the details of the work’s brushwork texture (e.g., the thickness and lightness of strokes), ink gradations (e.g., dry and wet ink effects), character structure, and the overall layout. It should clearly present the complete work, including the main text, auxiliary elements (if any, such as seals, inscriptions), and the edge details of the paper (to show the integrity of the work). If the work includes special calligraphy techniques, such as delicate dot strokes, smooth curved strokes, vivid dry-brush effects, or precise seal stamping, it is recommended to fully showcase these aspects with appropriate lighting (avoiding reflections or shadows that obscure details). The image formats are limited to JPG and PNG, with the file size not exceeding [150] MB (the size limit can be set appropriately according to actual conditions). Before submission, participants should ensure the work is free of stains or damage, and the image is free of tilting or cropping to ensure the judges can fully evaluate the work’s quality.

Competition Rules

1、Originality: All entries must be completed independently by the participant. No submissions of others' works are allowed. Participants may use their own previous competition works.
 

2、Content Restrictions: All entries must not contain obscene, violent, sexual, defamatory, inappropriate, or controversial content. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification without prior notice.
 

3、Personal Data Use: Personal information provided by participants will only be used for competition contact purposes and to distribute competition notifications.
 

​4、Accuracy of Information: Participants must ensure that their personal information is accurate. The organizers will not be responsible for any errors.
 

5、Acceptance of Terms: By submitting their entries, participants agree to all competition terms and conditions. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant believed to have violated any competition rules, and there will be no appeals process.

Scoring Criteria

  • Calligraphy Composition and Layout: The overall composition and layout of the calligraphy work are reasonable. Whether it is a solo calligraphy piece (regular script, cursive script, running script, etc.), a combined work of multiple scripts, or a calligraphy creation with auxiliary elements (such as seal stamps, simple decorative borders), the arrangement of each part (character placement, line spacing, character size, blank space) is appropriate. The proportions of main characters, auxiliary text (if any, such as inscriptions), and blank space are accurate, with no obvious issues of layout imbalance. The visual progression of the work follows a logical order (e.g., from left to right for horizontal writing, top to bottom for vertical writing), and the transitions between different segments (such as from the beginning of a text to the middle, or from the main text to the signature) are natural, smooth, and tightly connected.

  • Calligraphy Brushwork and Tone Expression: The brushwork texture (e.g., forceful, delicate, bold, gentle) of the calligraphy, paired with the paper and ink properties (rice paper, xuan paper, ink wash), is harmonious, and the overall visual effect of the work is rich in layers. Based on the style and theme of the calligraphy (e.g., solemn for regular script, free-spirited for cursive script, elegant for running script), appropriate expressive techniques are employed. For example, emotional shifts are conveyed through brushwork dynamics (such as a transition from light ink to heavy ink, subtle changes in brush pressure), and key parts of the work (e.g., prominent characters, turning points of strokes) are emphasized through texture contrasts (like the contrast between thick strokes and thin strokes, the difference between dry brushwork and wet brushwork, or the contrast between straight strokes and curved strokes). The transition of brushwork texture between different characters or segments is natural and smooth, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

  • Mastery of Calligraphy Techniques and Abilities: The creator’s calligraphy is natural and expressive. They demonstrate mastery of various calligraphy techniques, including basic skill control (such as stable brush holding, accurate stroke order, consistent ink application), application of special techniques (like hook strokes, dot strokes, horizontal strokes, vertical strokes in different scripts, or seal stamping skills), and coordination of multi-element combinations (for works with multiple scripts or auxiliary elements). These techniques are applied skillfully and superbly, reflecting a high level of calligraphy ability. Whether handling complex character structures, continuous stroke sequences, uniform line spacing, or subtle ink adjustments, the creator maintains excellent control and precision.

  • Artistic Appeal and Emotional Resonance: The creator has a profound understanding of the calligraphy theme (e.g., the connotation of the text, the style characteristics of the script) and can fully integrate their own emotions and interpretations into the work. The calligraphy is engaging and expressive, capable of evoking strong emotional resonance from the audience—whether it is the rigor and solemnity in regular script works, the freedom and passion in cursive script works, or the elegance and fluency in running script works. Their grasp of the calligraphy spirit (such as the integration of personal style with traditional norms, the expression of the text’s meaning through brushwork) and the overall temperament of the work are also important considerations. The work leaves a deep and lasting impression, effectively conveying the artistic concepts and emotional core that the calligraphy intends to express through skilled techniques and sincere creation.​

Group Registration Form

For groups of 4 or more members, please click the link below to access the group registration form. After filling it out, send it to us via WhatsApp or email.

For subsequent group entries, the group leader should name the works according to the competition requirements and submit all entries of the participants at once via WhatsApp or email.Entry Name: Name of Contestant - Age Group.【EG:Chan Ka Ming - Primary Group】

Individual Registration
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