Date: February 23, 2019
Location: Food Court, Improve Canada Centre, Vaughan, Ontario
Host: International Culture Federation (ICF)
Organizer: Gallery M2
Supported by: Canadian Foundation for Cultural and Art Research and dozens of Toronto cultural and art associations
A Grand Celebration of Culture and Art
On the afternoon of February 23, 2019, the International Culture Federation (ICF) hosted the First M2 Gallery Spring Calligraphy Salon, organized by Gallery M2 at the Improve Canada Centre. The event, titled Ink Passage 2019, brought together over thirty cultural and art organizations from across Toronto, creating a grand celebration of heritage, artistry, and cultural harmony.
The salon was led by Mr. Li Xiangmin, renowned calligrapher and former Director of the Longmen Grottoes Research Institute, who has previously organized international calligraphy forums and large-scale calligraphy gatherings. Ms. Maggie Yu, founder of Gallery M2, warmly welcomed distinguished guests and representatives from many cultural, academic, and artistic organizations, each contributing to Toronto’s vibrant multicultural landscape.
The program was emceed by Mr. Tiemuer, President of the Canadian Foundation for Cultural and Art Research.
Performances and Cultural Highlights
The afternoon opened with a lively modern dance, Opening of Spring, sponsored by the Toronto Collegiate Literary Society, followed by captivating performances from the Toronto Long Voice Peking Opera Troupe, whose traditional and modern arias introduced many Canadian-born attendees to the beauty of Peking Opera for the first time.
Masters Liu Xuwei (Chen-Style Tai Chi Association of Canada) and Jim Zhong (Zhaobao Tai Chi Association of Canada) performed Tai Chi with elegance and strength, while Mr. Li Aimin, president of Ka Liu Bang Dance Group, brought two young Hip-Hop dancers to energize the audience. The Hanfu Enthusiasts Association presented a stunning Hanfu showcase, delighting attendees with the grace and splendor of traditional attire.
A special highlight was the live Guqin performance by Ms. Zhu Yanyan, President of the One Home Cultural Centre and one of Canada’s most distinguished Guqin artists. Her elegant music filled the hall with tranquility, beautifully bridging the artistic performances and the calligraphy demonstration to follow.
The Calligraphy Salon
The main portion of the event began with an insightful lecture by Mr. Li Xiangmin on the art of Chinese calligraphy — explaining the principles of brush technique, ink control, and composition. Accompanied by the baritone voice of Mr. Deng Shaochun, Li performed a breathtaking live creation of Mao Zedong’s poem Snow – Ode to the Tune of Qinyuanchun on a six-meter-wide canvas. The majestic strokes and rhythm of the calligraphy moved the audience deeply, capturing the grandeur of Chinese culture.
Afterward, more than a dozen artists and calligraphers took turns writing on a 20-meter-long scroll prepared by Gallery M2, expressing their favorite verses and artistic inspirations.
Among the participating artists were:
Li Xiangmin, Qian Daozong, Zhu Ancheng, Shi Jie, Geng Shen, Cai Kui, Guan Suisheng, Su Fang, Han Zifu, Zhang Guosheng, Li Jun, Deng Shaochun, Tang Jia, and Tiemuer, whose final inscription in Manchu script concluded the scroll in spectacular fashion.
The audience responded with admiration and applause, celebrating this vivid display of artistic mastery and cultural unity.
A Celebration of Harmony and Heritage
The 2019 Spring Calligraphy Salon at Gallery M2 was not only a tribute to the timeless beauty of Chinese calligraphy but also a vibrant example of cultural exchange in Canada’s multicultural society. It strengthened friendship among artists, promoted mutual understanding, and highlighted the role of art in building a harmonious community.
Through events like this, the International Culture Federation (ICF) continues to uphold its mission — to promote cultural dialogue, preserve artistic heritage, and foster peace and harmony through the universal language of art.
2019.03.28 Toronto