(Bandar Seri Begawan, 11th Jan) As the new year begins, everything rejuvenates.
On the first Friday of January 2025, the Brunei Chinese Cultural and Arts Association held its annual New Year gathering as usual.
In his speech, the association's President and the 12th President of the World Association of Chinese Writers, Sun De'an, once again thanked the council members and literary friends for taking the time to attend this year's opening gathering. President Sun stated that this year will be a productive and busy year, with regular activities, such as the Spring Festival gathering, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, to be organized as before.
He reaffirmed that various regional and international exchange meetings, such as literary activities organized by the World Association of Chinese Writers, will be held in places like China and Taiwan. The council members of the association will hold meetings to set dates for organization. At that time, scholars, writers, and literature and arts enthusiasts from all over the world will attend to engage in exchanges and learning in writing and literature. Additionally, international poet pen meetings and Asian pen meetings will also be organized to promote cultural activities among literary friends, with the aim of promoting the long-standing Chinese culture to flourish on regional and world literary platforms.
Invited council member Zhu Yunli mentioned in the afternoon gathering today that on December 20th and 21st of last year, he, alongside President Sun De'an, visited several senior writers and poets in Singapore, such as teachers like Lie Lixuanlou, Teacher Pu, Teacher Han Chuan, Teacher Guo Yongxiu, and Teacher Xiner, to have lunch together and share the challenges faced in organizing literary activities. Teacher Guo also gifted publications such as “Xishan Literature and Art” and “Equatorial Phoenix” published in Singapore.
Also, coinciding with the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, renowned Brunei calligrapher Huang Bingxian showcased his profound skills and techniques in calligraphy during the gathering, earning widespread acclaim.
This gathering was attended by veteran figures in the Brunei Chinese literary circle, including Zhang Yinqi, Huang Jiaseng, Zhang Wenfa, Zhan Xingmin, Li Meijiao, Xing Xiuzhu, Chen Lizhen, Lin Yuantai, and Zhu Yunli, among others. The gathering concluded successfully amid laughter and joy.