On the afternoon of March 14, 2026 , the “Lanting Gathering” and the 2026 Vision Chinese Character Launch Event were held in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Auckland International Art Space Museum.
The “Orchid Pavilion Gathering” refers to the gathering of the great Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi and his friends at the Orchid Pavilion in 353 AD. During this gathering, they drank wine, composed poems, and wrote the “Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion,” considered the finest example of running script in Chinese literature. This masterpiece not only showcases the beauty of calligraphy but also expresses the profound insights of Chinese literati into nature, life, and friendship. Today, the Auckland Chinese Cultural Centre uses the “Orchid Pavilion Gathering” as a cultural brand, taking Chinese calligraphy as its entry point. Through exchanges in calligraphy, music, and art, it aims to introduce more New Zealand friends to Chinese culture and allow them to experience the unique charm and interest inherent in Chinese characters and calligraphy.
The 2026 Vision Chinese Character Selection Event is a cultural brand hosted by the Auckland International Art Space Museum and the New Zealand Painting School Art Alliance, with the New Zealand Sichuan-Chongqing General Chamber of Commerce as a special invited partner, and co-organized by the New Zealand-China Friendship Association, the New Zealand Chinese Calligraphers Association, the New Zealand Overseas Chinese Association, the New Zealand-China Investment and Trade Promotion Association, the New Zealand Confucius Cultural and Art Research Institute, the New Zealand Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Academy, and many other organizations. Since its inception in 2023, the event has selected characters such as “康” (Kang, meaning health), “龙” (Long, meaning dragon), and “顺” (Shun, meaning smoothness) as the vision Chinese characters for New Zealand society this year. This event not only expresses the local people’s aspirations for a better life but also enriches the cultural life of the local Chinese community, promotes Chinese calligraphy and character culture, and is an annual cultural event in New Zealand.
The fourth annual “Vision Character” selection event for 2026, after joint evaluation and review by Chinese community groups, art institutions, and expert judges, chose the character “马” (horse) as this year’s vision character. This character expresses everyone’s aspirations and longings for a better life in the Year of the Horse (2016), wishing for immediate happiness, wealth, and joy. During the event, Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Centre, Ms. Ding Mei, representative of the New Zealand-China Friendship Association, and Mr. Liu Qijia, representative of the Auckland International Art Space, delivered speeches as guests.
Speech by Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Centre
Ms. Ding Mei, representative of the New Zealand China Friendship Association, delivered a speech.
Mr. Liu Qijia, representative of Auckland International Art Space, delivered a speech.
Following the inspiring speech, there were wonderful cultural performances, including a guitar performance by a Maori artist, an erhu performance by a Chinese erhu player, and a guzheng ensemble.
Maori artist performing guitar
Chinese artist Wu Jiyuan performs erhu pieces “New Horse Racing” and “Red Boat on Nanhu Lake”.
Students performed the traditional guzheng piece “Fisherman’s Song at Dusk”.
Shiyu Chen, a young Chinese calligraphy teacher, introduced the calligraphy story behind the famous Chinese cultural text “Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion.” Martin Renner, a foreign friend with a deep interest in and research on Chinese calligraphy, also shared his understanding and experience of Chinese characters.
Shiyu Chen from the University of Auckland introduces the famous Chinese cultural text, “Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion.”
Mr. Martin Renner shared the evolution of oracle bone script.
The highlight was the unveiling of the Chinese character for the 2026 vision. Senior calligraphers Fu Jinzhi and Lei Shuqing from the New Zealand Chinese Calligraphers Association jointly wrote the Chinese character “马” (horse) for this year’s vision, and together with several guest representatives, they unveiled the Chinese character “马”. The attendees welcomed the release of this year’s vision Chinese character with warm applause and good wishes.
Guest representatives jointly unveiled the Chinese character “马” (horse) representing their vision.
Calligraphy masters Fu Jinzhi, Lei Shuqing, and Li Yongfei interacted with the guests on site, writing Chinese calligraphy works for everyone. The event received strong support from friends from all walks of life in the Chinese community, and we would like to express our gratitude. We look forward to our wonderful life coming soon and being happy!
Before the event began, the organizers suggested a minute’s silence to commemorate Mr. Mike Dawson , the National President of the New Zealand-China Friendship Association and President of its Auckland Chapter, who recently passed away . Mr. Dawson, whose Chinese alias was Ding Daxiong, participated in the selection and release of the vision Chinese characters for each year’s event since 2023. He actively supported various cultural and artistic exchange activities between New Zealand and China, making significant contributions and leaving behind a rich cultural legacy. We commemorate this old friend who promoted friendly exchanges between New Zealand and China in New Zealand, and hope to carry on his unfinished wishes in the future, jointly developing new endeavors for friendly exchanges between New Zealand and China, continuing to deepen mutual understanding between the people of New Zealand and China, and strengthening in-depth exchanges in the fields of culture , art, and humanities!
Finally, Auckland International Art Space wishes everyone a prosperous Year of the Horse and that all your wishes come true!
