In October, Ottawa is in the full splendor of autumn. Sunlight floods the lakeshore, the layered forests are dyed in brilliant colors, and fiery red maple leaves stand out vividly against the blue sky and clear water.

On the afternoon of October 18, 2026, "Double Ninth Festival Ink Charm — Calligrapher Yongzhong Qu Exhibition & Charity Auction" was held at 76 Larkin Drive, Ottawa. Guests from the cultural and arts circles, community organizations, educational institutions, and all walks of life, along with calligraphy enthusiasts, gathered together to appreciate the beauty of brush and ink and to support cultural charity.

This exhibition featured a total of 40 calligraphy works by the renowned calligrapher Mr. Qu Yongzhong, of which 10 were donated by Mr. Qu to the Ottawa Chinese Language School (OCLS) for a charity auction. On the day of the event, 9 of the 10 auction works were purchased on-site, achieving gratifying results and injecting new momentum into future youth cultural and artistic activities.

The origin of this calligraphy exhibition was originally a simple and sincere bond between teacher and students.

In May of this year, Mr. Qu Yongzhong received the honorary title of "International Cultural Role Model" from an organization called the "United Nations World Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Foundation," and commemorative stamps and a collector's album featuring his calligraphy art were issued.

When the good news arrived, fellow students in the adult calligraphy class had long hoped to find an opportunity to celebrate their beloved Teacher Qu.

Teacher Qu himself, however, was very modest. He originally planned to invite a few calligraphy friends to his home around the Mid-Autumn Festival for tea and conversation, sharing the joy in a relaxed elegant gathering.

Later, at the suggestion of Wang Xiang, the class monitor of the calligraphy class, everyone came up with a new idea: since Teacher Qu has devoted decades to the art of calligraphy and accumulated such a rich body of work, why not take this opportunity to hold an exhibition so that more friends can come closer to Chinese calligraphy and experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture?

And so, from a table of tea to an exhibition; from a small gathering of a few calligraphy friends to a cultural event open to the community. A congratulation between teacher and students gradually developed into a Double Ninth elegant gathering combining artistic display and charitable giving.

Starting at 2:45 p.m., guests arrived at the exhibition hall one after another. Forty calligraphy works were displayed in sequence—some vigorous and powerful, some elegant and free-spirited—with the charm of ink flowing between the running and cursive scripts.

The works include the lone wild goose's clear shadow from Su Shi's "Bu Suan Zi," the myriad miles of autumn sorrow from Du Fu's "Climbing High," the long pavilion and ancient road from Li Shutong's "Farewell," and the sunset glow from Li Shangyin's "Leyou Plain"; they embody both the breadth of mind and sentiment of the ancients and the recitation and entrustment of contemporary poets.

Teacher Qu's calligraphy not only carries the artistic conception of classical Chinese poetry but also incorporates the life insights of overseas Chinese. Red leaves in a foreign land, nostalgia for the homeland, and the meeting of kindred spirits all find new expression in the dense and sparse, dry and moist brushwork.

What the audience appreciated was not only poetry and calligraphy but also a life sentiment that spans mountains and seas and runs through past and present.

At 3 p.m., the exhibition officially opened. Wang Xiang, Principal of the Ottawa Chinese Language School, first introduced the preparation process of the exhibition, the participating works, and the charity auction arrangements, and explained to the guests the charitable purpose behind Teacher Qu's donation of works.

According to the event arrangements, the net proceeds from this auction will be used for the Ottawa Chinese Language School's Cultural and Artistic Activities Special Fund, supporting cultural and educational projects including the Youth Chinese Zodiac Painting Competition and the Youth Culture and Arts Festival, so that the value of calligraphy art can be further transformed into strength supporting the artistic creation of the younger generation.

Subsequently, Wang Xiang introduced Mr. Qu Yongzhong's artistic achievements and honors.

In his speech, Teacher Qu Yongzhong reviewed his decades of calligraphy creation experience, shared his thoughts on the dissemination of traditional calligraphy art in the new era, and expressed his long-cherished wish to promote Chinese culture overseas.

For him, calligraphy is not only a personal artistic pursuit but also a cultural treasure that can be shared with society.

This exhibition received enthusiastic support from friends in the cultural and arts circles, community organizations, and all sectors of society.

Canadian Senator Yuen Pau Woo sent a special letter of congratulations, expressing congratulations on Mr. Qu Yongzhong's artistic achievements and this cultural charity event. He Lianhua, President of the Sino-Canadian Arts Association, although in China, also specially wrote a congratulatory poem to send blessings from afar.

At the event, guests affirmed Teacher Qu's long-term commitment to artistic creation, the promotion of Chinese cultural dissemination, and support for community charity.

In the hearts of the students, Teacher Qu is not only a teacher who imparts calligraphy skills but also an elder whose knowledge, character, and artistic pursuit influence everyone.

During the event, Teacher Qu presented calligraphy works to the guests and displayed the commemorative stamp album themed on his artistic creations, taking group photos with collectors, adding warm and precious memories to this elegant gathering.

One of the most closely watched segments of this event was the charity auction of ten exquisite calligraphy works.

Under the guidance of Ms. Ding Mansu, host of Rogers TV programs, the guests further learned about the artistic features, creative background, and participation methods of the auction works.

Among these ten works are Su Shi's open-mindedness, Du Fu's solemnity, Li Shutong's deep affection, and also the nostalgia and sentiments of poets in a foreign land. Each work not only embodies Teacher Qu's artistic skill but also carries a cultural story worth savoring.

In front of the auction display area, guests stopped to admire, repeatedly compared, and exchanged views enthusiastically. Some were fond of the vigorous and bold brushstrokes, some preferred the elegant and subtle artistic conception, and others particularly loved the works because of the life insights contained in the poetry.

The online charity auction, originally planned to last for one month, received an enthusiastic response right at the exhibition site.

This enthusiastic support not only reflects the collectors' appreciation and recognition of Teacher Qu's calligraphy art but also embodies everyone's concern for youth cultural and artistic education.

From a calligraphy work to a charitable support; from a personal art collection to the joint construction of community cultural undertakings—here, brush and ink have gained meaning beyond the works themselves.

Beyond the charity auction, the exhibition site was always filled with a strong cultural and artistic atmosphere. Guests freely appreciated the works and exchanged thoughts in the exhibition hall.

Zither strings and the fragrance of ink complemented each other, and poetry and autumn colors blended together, adding a touch of the charm of traditional literati gatherings to the entire exhibition.

As the event drew to a close, Teacher Qu Yongzhong, in high spirits, wielded his brush and wrote Chairman Mao's "Cai Sang Zi · Double Ninth".

He then invited calligraphy friends to collaborate impromptu, and together they wrote the famous lines from Du Fu's "Gazing at Mount Tai":

Brush and ink were passed among the calligraphy friends, with some writing steadily and some freely. Different writing styles converged in the same work—this was not only an exchange of calligraphy skills but also a rare bond between teacher and students.

This impromptu collaboration was elegantly called the "Seven Sages' Wondrous Brushes," leaving a vivid and charming anecdote for that day's calligraphy exhibition.

From appreciating works to reciting poetry, from melodious zither music to impromptu brushwork, this Double Ninth elegant gathering not only displayed a calligrapher's artistic achievements but also allowed the audience to personally feel the creativity and vitality contained in traditional Chinese art.

This time, he again used the charitable donation of ten exquisite calligraphy works to transform years of artistic accumulation into support for youth cultural undertakings.

This gesture forms a particularly moving echo with the Chinese Zodiac Painting Project currently being advanced by the Ottawa Chinese Language School.

The Chinese Zodiac Painting Competition encourages young people to draw inspiration from traditional Chinese zodiac culture, use their imagination and creativity, and depict a colorful artistic world on paper.

Teacher Qu writes traditional culture with a brush, while the children give traditional culture new colors with their paintbrushes.

In the strokes of a calligrapher lies the sedimentation of more than half a century; in the paintbrushes of a group of young people lies infinite possibility yet to unfold.

The most beautiful inheritance of art is not to require later generations to repeat the brushstrokes of predecessors, but to give them the courage to create a world of their own.

At 6 p.m., the event came to a close amid laughter and reluctant farewells.

From the initial celebration wish of a few calligraphy friends to the concentrated display of forty calligraphy works; from a tea gathering to a charity auction where nine works were purchased on-site—the success of this event would not have been possible without Teacher Qu Yongzhong's generous contribution, nor without the joint support of all organizing and co-organizing institutions, artists, volunteers, collectors, and community friends.

The beauty of the Double Ninth lies in climbing high and looking far, and also in respecting the elderly and cherishing the worthy; the beauty of calligraphy lies in the lines of brush and ink, and even more in the cultural spirit and life sentiment it carries.

This autumn elegant gathering showed us that truly vital art can not only be appreciated and collected but also step out of the study, enter the community, and become a warm force connecting people to people and tradition to the future.

May this cultural bond that started from the Double Ninth elegant gathering, with the paintbrushes in the children's hands, bloom into even more brilliant colors in the years to come.