YANGON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- At the China Cultural Center in Yangon, a quiet rhythm fills the room as brushes sweep across paper. Students lean over white sheets, practicing Chinese calligraphy, an art that requires patience, control, and careful attention to each stroke.
For many participants, the class is not simply about improving handwriting. It is a doorway into language, culture, and a more thoughtful way of expression.
Aye Chan Thu, 23, a Chinese language major student at Yangon University of Foreign Languages, said she joined out of curiosity and a desire to refine her writing.
"I wanted to learn how to write calligraphy," she said. "My handwriting wasn't very neat before, so I hoped it would become more beautiful and organized."
Her interest, however, goes beyond penmanship. "I also like Chinese movies and traditional costumes," she added. "If you want to understand Chinese characters more deeply, calligraphy is worth learning."
For others, the practice is closely tied to their studies. Khin Cho Lwin, 24, sees it as a foundation for learning Chinese properly.
"When we study Chinese, calligraphy is very important. It helps us understand how to write correctly," she said. "Once you know the stroke order, writing becomes more structured. You know exactly how each character should be formed."
"I've been learning Chinese since childhood, so I've been interested in this culture for a long time," she added.
For Myint Myat Thu, 24, the appeal lies in the characters themselves. "I joined mainly because I like Chinese characters," she said. She is also drawn to cultural imagery seen in historical films. "I'm very interested in traditional Chinese clothing, especially Hanfu."
Others discovered the class through the center's wider activities. Su Win Latt, 23, said she first learned about the course through public events and online updates from the China Cultural Center in Yangon.
"I had visited the center before and followed their page. When I saw the announcement, I became interested and joined," she said.
The lessons have changed the way she approaches writing. "We learned the strokes in detail and how to write carefully. Before, I didn't know these things clearly. Now I understand the full structure of Chinese writing."
The improvement is visible in her work. "My handwriting has become more careful and much more beautiful," she said.
The China Cultural Center in Yangon offered two calligraphy courses, one in brush and one in pen, this summer, both running from March 25 to May 29, with classes held three days a week.
Behind the summer program is a structured teaching approach led by instructor U Maw Li Shwe, 60, chairman of Myanmar-China Calligraphy and Painting Association, who said that calligraphy plays an essential role in understanding Chinese culture.
He described it as an important part of Chinese culture that helps learners grasp not only writing, but also its underlying art and principles.
He explained that beginners start with basic strokes, dots, horizontal and vertical lines, slanted strokes, hooks, and turns, before combining them into simple characters, a process that allows students to gradually see progress and build confidence.
He added that lessons also go beyond technique, introducing the development of different calligraphy styles and their cultural background.
The calligraphy program is part of a broader initiative by the China Cultural Center in Yangon to promote cultural exchange. The center's director Xiang Jianbo said that the center focuses on practical and accessible learning programs to strengthen ties between China and Myanmar, regularly organizing training programs that combine traditional culture with practical skills, and theory with hands-on experience.
He added that these programs have created a steady platform for interaction between people of both countries, encouraging cultural understanding that continues beyond the classroom. ■
