The 5th Orchard Pavilion Calligraphy Biennial Exhibition, opens at the Zhejiang Exhibition Hall in Hangzhou on August 24. The exhibition features 42 renowned contemporary calligraphers' running script masterpieces. The exhibition is co-organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Publicity, the Zhejiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the Shaoxing Municipal Government.
The biennial exhibition is a high-profile cultural event with profound influences. To commemorate the 42 literati, this year's exhibition displays not only the running script works of 42 famed calligraphers, but also the scripts written in various styles by another 42 calligraphers selected from hundreds of contributors nationwide. At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, seven distinguished calligraphers were named the "Seven Orchard Pavilion Calligraphers", which is regarded as one of the most prestigious honors for today's Chinese calligraphers.
Orchard Pavilion is located in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. It is the birthplace of The Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchard Pavilion, the best running script in the history of Chinese calligraphy. The artwork was created by Wang Xizhi, a famous calligrapher from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), who is often referred to as the Saint of Calligraphy.