Sept.23, 2019 -- More than 100 Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns gathered in Lhasa, capital of Tibet autonomous region on Sept.16, for a calligraphy competition to mark the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

 

Sonam Tsering, head of the city's religious affairs bureau, said the monks and nuns participating in the completion came from the monasteries of the city's eight counties and districts, including the Jokhang Temple, monasteries of Drepung, Gandan, and Sera.

 

"Conducting such a competition can help promote ethnic traditional culture in one way and on the other hand, it provides the monks and nuns a stage for exchanges and communications. We will conduct similar activities in the future to help raise monks' interest in learning," he said.

 

 

Namgyal Wangdrak, chairman of the region's calligraphers' association, said it was hard to separate entrants as most of the calligraphy was excellent.

 

"From my previous experiences of being a judge in calligraphy competitions, the quality of the calligraphy works become better and better, and conducting such an activity will eventually contribute to the promotion and preservation of Tibetan calligraphy," said Namgyal, who also serves as a member of the China Calligraphers Association.

 

After fierce competition, beautiful calligraphy works were displayed in front of the audience and awards were given to five winners, ten in second place and 20 in third.

 

Sept.23, 2019 -- Monks and nuns observe the works produced during the calligraphy competition on Sept.16, 2019. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]