編者按:或母子同堂、或夫妻同學(xué)、或三代同窗……他們來(lái)自不同的國(guó)家,說(shuō)著不同的語(yǔ)言,在這里,他們無(wú)須用語(yǔ)言交流,一切都可以通過(guò)繪畫傳達(dá)。提筆墨香映容顏,且蘸胭脂畫牡丹,在愉悅的藝術(shù)熏陶與體驗(yàn)中,創(chuàng)作出數(shù)千幅以國(guó)畫牡丹、山水、書法等為題材的中國(guó)書畫作品,落筆生花,細(xì)膩的筆觸描繪出一腔誠(chéng)摯和熱情。
這就是寧波紅牡丹書畫國(guó)際交流社(寧波開放大學(xué)紅牡丹學(xué)院)。交流社采用以“國(guó)花為媒”、中國(guó)書畫英文國(guó)際教學(xué)及交流的方式,向世界傳播中國(guó)文化,教授了來(lái)自170個(gè)國(guó)家和地區(qū)的1.3萬(wàn)多位外籍人士,創(chuàng)造了讓外籍人士?jī)尚r(shí)就可畫出牡丹、愛(ài)上中國(guó)文化的“紅牡丹模式”。本刊特邀該社創(chuàng)辦人、社長(zhǎng)姜紅升為讀者介紹他和他的外籍學(xué)生。
2012年10月,我放棄了22年英語(yǔ)教師工作,從零開始,在寧波大學(xué)園區(qū)(鄞州區(qū))圖書館創(chuàng)辦了寧波紅牡丹書畫國(guó)際交流社,為來(lái)寧波生活、工作、學(xué)習(xí)、創(chuàng)業(yè)以及參觀考察、旅游、訪學(xué)的外籍人士,搭建起一個(gè)傳統(tǒng)與現(xiàn)代相結(jié)合、文化與教育相結(jié)合、東方與西方相結(jié)合的文化藝術(shù)平臺(tái),為外國(guó)友人深入理解中國(guó)文化打開了一扇書畫之窗。
兩小時(shí)愛(ài)上中國(guó)文化
課堂上,我全程通過(guò)英文教學(xué)中國(guó)書畫,從教授畫一朵紅牡丹開始,用詩(shī)情畫意的語(yǔ)言將學(xué)員們帶入一種用畫表達(dá)內(nèi)心的沖動(dòng)之中,讓外籍學(xué)員走進(jìn)詩(shī)意盎然的中國(guó)書畫世界。中國(guó)書畫的奇特色彩,暢通自如的互動(dòng)交流,藝術(shù)賦予的情感沖擊,讓第一次感受中國(guó)文化的外籍人士頃刻間陶醉在中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)文化的藝術(shù)海洋之中。
愛(ài)上中國(guó)牡丹畫的外籍人士,開始學(xué)習(xí)梅蘭竹菊、山川秀水等其它書畫題材,以及臨習(xí)書法,學(xué)習(xí)漢字等,對(duì)中國(guó)的文字、詩(shī)歌、歷史等等都產(chǎn)生了濃厚的興趣。世界不同膚色、不同語(yǔ)言、不同信仰的人們學(xué)習(xí)中國(guó)書畫的意義,跨越掌握一門藝術(shù)技藝,以及習(xí)字作畫的過(guò)程,都是深度了解中國(guó)文化、深入認(rèn)識(shí)中華民族的有效途徑。
加拿大藝術(shù)學(xué)院學(xué)生Jace學(xué)習(xí)中國(guó)書畫后,回國(guó)前在我的筆記本上留言:中國(guó)書畫對(duì)表達(dá)內(nèi)心的思維、情感、想法,是絕佳的藝術(shù)載體。我總是期待著老師的書畫課,因?yàn)樗臅嬎囆g(shù)給了我內(nèi)心的寧?kù)o,啟迪了我生活的意義。與老師一起經(jīng)歷的書畫課堂,是我人生永遠(yuǎn)值得珍惜的財(cái)富。老師對(duì)藝術(shù)的激情、對(duì)善意的分享,將永遠(yuǎn)賦予我生命的靈感!
玻利維亞籍教師Gabi在接受采訪時(shí)說(shuō):“感謝‘紅牡丹構(gòu)筑友誼之橋,將美妙的藝術(shù)與文化分享給世界。學(xué)習(xí)中國(guó)畫比學(xué)漢語(yǔ)更容易讓我走近中國(guó)。中國(guó)書畫,已成了我生命中不可或缺的部分?!?/p>
寧波紅牡丹書畫國(guó)際交流社以中國(guó)書畫國(guó)際教學(xué)為切入口,除了傳統(tǒng)課堂外,還充分利用自身優(yōu)勢(shì),聯(lián)系對(duì)接各類民間組織等,把傳播中國(guó)文化的流動(dòng)課堂辦在社會(huì)中,共開展150多場(chǎng)次規(guī)模不同、有5000多位外籍人士參與的中外文化活動(dòng)。春節(jié)期間,交流社組織國(guó)際友人寫春聯(lián)、送祝福到家庭、與社區(qū)居民聯(lián)歡、展演各民族風(fēng)情節(jié)目、學(xué)寧波戲劇、包寧波湯團(tuán)、講寧波方言等;“學(xué)雷鋒”活動(dòng)期間,讓他們參與體驗(yàn)系列愛(ài)心活動(dòng),講好中國(guó)的雷鋒故事;重陽(yáng)節(jié)期間,組織國(guó)際友人參與慰問(wèn)當(dāng)?shù)亻L(zhǎng)者。我們還組織國(guó)際友人參與“中國(guó)書法之鄉(xiāng) · 鄞州命名授牌儀式”現(xiàn)場(chǎng)書法創(chuàng)作活動(dòng),走訪體驗(yàn)寧波“沙孟海故居”“潘天壽故居”等名人村居,感受書法泰斗沙孟?!罢媪洕M,吐氣如虹”的書風(fēng),以及國(guó)畫大師潘天壽博大靜穆、蒼古雄偉的藝術(shù)風(fēng)格。
從書畫教室的傳統(tǒng)模式走向栩栩如生的民間課堂,通過(guò)國(guó)際友人親身感受寧波深厚歷史文化與精神風(fēng)貌,或交流體會(huì),或撰文報(bào)道,向國(guó)際社會(huì)展示寧波精神文化內(nèi)涵,把寧波的自然風(fēng)光與純樸鄉(xiāng)情,把中國(guó)人民的善良與熱情,分享傳播給世界各國(guó)人民,讓世界了解到一個(gè)承載厚重文明的真實(shí)中國(guó)。
體驗(yàn)者變身傳播者
寧波“紅牡丹”文化傳播模式,得到了世界各國(guó)民眾的喜愛(ài)與支持,逐步形成一批“寧波紅牡丹”特有的國(guó)際友人傳播中國(guó)文化的國(guó)際團(tuán)隊(duì)。他們參與課堂教學(xué)、活動(dòng)組織、創(chuàng)作演示、視頻制作、教材編審、撰文報(bào)道、文稿翻譯等一系列中外文化交流活動(dòng)。他們從最初的體驗(yàn)者,逐漸成為中國(guó)文化走向世界的友好使者與“引路人”。
澳大利亞女士Gillian經(jīng)過(guò)幾年的勤奮學(xué)習(xí),能畫出獨(dú)具魅力的紅牡丹。新來(lái)的外籍學(xué)員,一般從學(xué)畫一朵牡丹開始,Gillian主動(dòng)擔(dān)任起指導(dǎo)老師,協(xié)助教授中國(guó)畫。如今,她培養(yǎng)的學(xué)員,也能畫出漂亮的《國(guó)色天香圖》。同時(shí),Gillian協(xié)助制訂中國(guó)書畫國(guó)際教學(xué)大綱與授課計(jì)劃、內(nèi)容等,共同推動(dòng)傳播中國(guó)書畫藝術(shù)。圣誕節(jié)及暑假期間,她還帶上筆墨紙硯等書畫用品,從寧波飛赴南半球,開設(shè)“中國(guó)書畫班”,教當(dāng)?shù)睾⒆訉W(xué)習(xí)中國(guó)書法和國(guó)畫牡丹、竹子等。交流中問(wèn)她為什么有這樣的舉動(dòng),她回答說(shuō):“因?yàn)橹袊?guó)書畫藝術(shù),能釋放我內(nèi)心的靈感與生命的激情,讓我的生活充滿美好與歡樂(lè)?!?/p>
在寧波學(xué)習(xí)中國(guó)文化、愛(ài)上“紅牡丹”的外籍友人,很多在回國(guó)之后邀請(qǐng)我去海外講學(xué),讓當(dāng)?shù)孛癖娪袡C(jī)會(huì)共享學(xué)習(xí)中國(guó)優(yōu)秀傳統(tǒng)文化。2016年1月11日至2016年2月20日,受英國(guó)諾丁漢大學(xué)藝術(shù)中心(Lakeside Arts)邀請(qǐng),我在英國(guó)開展為期40天的中國(guó)書畫藝術(shù)國(guó)際教學(xué)與文化交流活動(dòng),成為英國(guó)“歡樂(lè)春節(jié)”的重要內(nèi)容。
英方在邀請(qǐng)信中這樣寫道:“中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)書畫是中國(guó)文化的瑰寶,如同一顆閃爍的文化珍珠,滋潤(rùn)著人們的心靈。您居住在我們的友城寧波,也是諾丁漢在中國(guó)的故鄉(xiāng)。我們邀請(qǐng)您來(lái)諾丁漢大學(xué)湖邊藝術(shù)中心開班講學(xué),讓不同階層的英國(guó)民眾學(xué)習(xí)中國(guó)書畫藝術(shù)?!被顒?dòng)期間,英方還為我個(gè)人舉辦了為期兩個(gè)月的書畫作品展覽活動(dòng)。
“我們欣喜地遇上充滿魅力、才華橫溢的藝術(shù)家姜紅升,他的精美藝術(shù)作品,釋放著一種寧?kù)o與祥和?!敝Z丁漢市民Cressida and Julian夫婦在那次英國(guó)藝術(shù)中心書畫展的留言中這樣寫道,話語(yǔ)間情不自禁地流露出對(duì)中國(guó)藝術(shù)與作品的由衷贊賞。
“以前我從未接觸過(guò)中國(guó)書畫,很開心能體驗(yàn)如何使用毛筆以及領(lǐng)悟在顏色、線條、水分的細(xì)微變化并精準(zhǔn)練習(xí),能向經(jīng)驗(yàn)豐富的藝術(shù)大師學(xué)習(xí)并了解這種古遠(yuǎn)的藝術(shù),我深感愉悅?!边@是Neil在學(xué)習(xí)后的留言。
“絕妙的課堂!卓越的老師!震撼心靈的享受!”這是Tarry的留言。
“書法和國(guó)畫課我都參加,我喜愛(ài)課堂的分分秒秒。能得到姜紅升老師的教導(dǎo),是我的榮幸。”這是Deise的留言。
“用中國(guó)的毛筆描繪牡丹花瓣的細(xì)膩柔軟,是一種多么美好的體驗(yàn)。十分享受課堂的歡樂(lè)!”這是Sanjana的留言。
諾丁漢大學(xué)藝術(shù)中心人力資源部主任Sofia Nazar-chadwick在百米牡丹長(zhǎng)卷前接受采訪時(shí)說(shuō):“假如去問(wèn)絕大多數(shù)的英國(guó)人,他們都會(huì)告訴你,‘我不會(huì)用毛筆畫畫。但看看這些學(xué)員們的作品,絕對(duì)讓人難以想象!姜紅升能夠讓人們做到他們?cè)詾楦静豢赡苻k到的事。”
丹青繪出五洲花
傳播中國(guó)文化期間,我們與國(guó)際友人一起不斷組織策劃愛(ài)中國(guó)的主題活動(dòng)。2015年國(guó)慶前夕,我們和寧波大學(xué)一起策劃了寧波國(guó)際慶典盛會(huì),我們聯(lián)袂寧波大學(xué),組織在寧波學(xué)習(xí)、生活、工作、參觀考察、旅游、訪學(xué)等涵蓋五大洲66個(gè)國(guó)家和地區(qū)的國(guó)際友人,共同組成中國(guó)書畫國(guó)際創(chuàng)作團(tuán),在9.9米長(zhǎng)的一大幅畫卷上,用五彩繽紛的筆墨,創(chuàng)作出有66朵形態(tài)各異、爭(zhēng)奇斗艷的中國(guó)畫牡丹長(zhǎng)卷, 為中華人民共和國(guó)66周年華誕獻(xiàn)上了一份跨越國(guó)界和民族的特殊大禮。66國(guó)外籍學(xué)員獻(xiàn)墨祝福,表達(dá)了世界人民對(duì)中國(guó)文化的熱愛(ài),對(duì)當(dāng)代中國(guó)的美好祝愿。
活動(dòng)準(zhǔn)備期間,寧波大學(xué)德國(guó)籍留學(xué)生Fransi與巴基斯坦籍留學(xué)生Maida Malik,以及紅牡丹“國(guó)際班長(zhǎng)”、澳大利亞女士Gillan,把對(duì)中國(guó)牡丹文化的喜愛(ài),對(duì)中國(guó)藝術(shù)文化的憧憬,對(duì)中國(guó)美好未來(lái)的祝福,寄情在中國(guó)畫牡丹畫的創(chuàng)作中。一幅幅寄托國(guó)際友人真摯情感的畫作,如盛開的牡丹,香飄四海,交融世界,綻放美麗。一些專業(yè)畫家看到長(zhǎng)卷后嘆為觀止,稱贊國(guó)際友人把對(duì)中國(guó)藝術(shù)的愛(ài)深深地凝聚在筆端,具有很好的創(chuàng)新精神和藝術(shù)功底。
2021年9月17日,攜手寧波大學(xué)國(guó)際交流學(xué)院,邀請(qǐng)?jiān)趯幉▽W(xué)習(xí)、工作的“紅牡丹國(guó)際親友團(tuán)”外籍骨干代表,最終組織10多個(gè)國(guó)家的外籍友人,在美麗的九龍湖紅牡丹國(guó)際家園,舉辦“九龍邀明月,五洲賀國(guó)慶——寧波九龍湖國(guó)際中秋雅集暨72國(guó)牡丹作品展獻(xiàn)禮中華人民共和國(guó)成立72周年”活動(dòng),現(xiàn)場(chǎng)展出來(lái)自五大洲72個(gè)國(guó)家的外籍友人創(chuàng)作的牡丹中國(guó)畫作品,獻(xiàn)禮中華人民共和國(guó)成立72周年。牡丹寓意包容開放、和平友愛(ài)、幸福美好,在“花好月圓”的中秋佳節(jié)與國(guó)慶來(lái)臨之際鮮艷綻放,更能把跨越時(shí)空、超越國(guó)度的中華優(yōu)秀傳統(tǒng)文化,分享給世界各國(guó)人民。
參與活動(dòng)的摩洛哥友人Soukaina Bouziani在活動(dòng)結(jié)束的當(dāng)晚發(fā)來(lái)信息,表達(dá)對(duì)中外文化交融活動(dòng)的由衷喜愛(ài):“和你們一起參與活動(dòng),讓我度過(guò)了美好難忘的一天。能成為中外交流活動(dòng)大家庭的一員,我倍感喜悅。希望以后能有機(jī)會(huì)參與更多的活動(dòng)?!?/p>
鄉(xiāng)村也能上“國(guó)際課”
為滿足鄉(xiāng)村百姓的精神文化生活需求,助力鄉(xiāng)村文化振興,以美為媒,加強(qiáng)國(guó)際文化交流,在九龍湖鎮(zhèn)的支持下,寧波九龍湖紅牡丹國(guó)際家園邀請(qǐng)中國(guó)—中東歐博覽會(huì)形象大使,會(huì)說(shuō)一口流利中文,擅長(zhǎng)教牡丹中國(guó)畫的拉脫維亞籍友人Helena,從2021年7月10日開始,每周六和當(dāng)?shù)厝罕姅y手畫牡丹,分享藝術(shù)、交流情感、促進(jìn)友誼。
在九龍湖紅牡丹國(guó)際家園的“海倫娜”鄉(xiāng)村課堂,母女同桌、父子同窗、夫妻同學(xué)、爺孫同班、中西同堂,是藝術(shù)與友愛(ài)在鄉(xiāng)村和諧共融的百花園,也是寧波“紅牡丹”綻放出“把大學(xué)辦在鄉(xiāng)村,讓鄉(xiāng)村走向世界”的大舞臺(tái)。目前,該課堂已開展了10期,吸引了千余名本地村民、青少年和在甬外籍友人參加。
“我在中國(guó)好多年了,也是一名寧波媳婦。我非常喜歡中國(guó)文化,希望為寧波的對(duì)外文化交流貢獻(xiàn)自己的力量?!焙惸雀嬖V記者。
今年3月九龍湖國(guó)際家園開園以來(lái),紅牡丹國(guó)際家園先后開展了游端午、“海倫娜”鄉(xiāng)村課堂等超過(guò)30場(chǎng)的國(guó)際文化交流活動(dòng),通過(guò)“以文促信、以文促融”的方式,讓中國(guó)鄉(xiāng)村與國(guó)際交流相融相促,讓國(guó)際友人更加深入、更加全面地了解美麗中國(guó),也讓中國(guó)鄉(xiāng)村走向世界。
(作者系寧波紅牡丹書畫國(guó)際交流社社長(zhǎng))
This is a special report on Jiang Hongsheng, the Founder and President of Ningbo Red Peony Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting & Calligraphy, and his international students.
We All Love Painting Red Peonies
By Jiang Hongsheng
In October 2012, I gave up my job as an English teacher for the last 22 years to establish the Ningbo Red Peony Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting & Calligraphy in the library of Ningbo University (Yinzhou district) from scratch. I intended to build it into an artistic platform of culture and education, combining tradition and modernity, and connecting the East and the West. For foreigners who visit Ningbo or choose to live, study and work here, it is a window to understand Chinese culture in depth through Chinese painting and calligraphy.
In the class, I use English to teach Chinese painting and calligraphy to my students throughout, and I start by teaching them how to draw a red peony. With poetic languages, I encourage them to express their feelings through painting and open their heart to the colorful, friendly and emotional world of Chinese painting and calligraphy.
Those foreigners who fall in love with drawing red peonies first are turning their passion into other subjects in Chinese painting, such as plum, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, and Chinese calligraphy. Some of them have even developed a strong interest in Chinese literature and history.
After studying Chinese calligraphy and painting, Jace, a student at a Canadian art school, left a message in Jiangs notebook before returning home: “Chinese calligraphy and painting are excellent artistic vehicles for expressing inner thoughts, emotions and ideas. I always look forward to your calligraphy and painting classes because, with your art of calligraphy and painting, you have led me to inner peace and meaning in life. The time I have spent in classes with you is a treasure that I will always cherish in my life. Your passion for art and your kindness will always be my inspiration.”
Gabi, a Bolivian teacher, said in an interview: “Thanks to the ‘Red Peony for building a bridge of friendship, for sharing Chinas wonderful art and culture with the rest of the world. Learning Chinese painting is easier than learning Chinese, and it has brought me to China. Chinese painting and calligraphy has become an indispensable part of my life.”
We have been focusing on an international style of teaching Chinese painting. In addition to giving classroom courses in a traditional way, we have also made full use of our own advantages, contacting various NGOs who help us bring our lessons on Chinese culture to different communities. We have carried out such cultural activities of different scales for more than 150 times, which have been participated by over 5,000 foreigners.
This cultural communication model of “Red Peony” has won the love and support from people all over the world, under the influence of which a unique group of international friends has been gradually formed for the purpose of promoting Chinese culture. By teaching in classrooms, organizing activities, making videos, textbooks, news stories and so on, they have turned themselves into friendly messengers for introducing Chinese culture to the rest of the world. Gillian, an Australian lady, is one of them. After learning Chinese painting for several years, she has now become a teacher herself and helped develop the international syllabus, promoting the art of Chinese painting and calligraphy.
International friends who have studied Chinese culture in Ningbo and have been attracted to the “Red Peony” have invited me to give lectures overseas so that local people can have the opportunity to learn the excellent traditional Chinese culture as well. From January 11 to February 20 in 2016, I was invited by the Lakeside Arts Center of the University of Nottingham to do a 40-day international teaching project of Chinese calligraphy and painting, which was an important part of the “Happy Spring Festival” event in the UK. The feedbacks were quite positive. “We are delighted to meet the charming and talented artist Jiang Hongsheng. His exquisite works of art have this kind of peace and tranquility, which goes out to the nature and to people from different countries,” wrote Cressida and Julian, a Nottingham couple, in their message after they enjoyed my exhibition in the Lakeside Arts Center.
Sofia Nazar-chadwick, Director of Human Resources at the Lakeside Arts Center, said in an interview with China Daily: “If you ask most British people, they will tell you, ‘I cant paint with a brush. But look at what these students have created, its absolutely unimaginable! Jiang is able to make people do things they never imagined they could do.”
During the period for the Chinese culture promotion, we have been organizing and planning the “Red Series” patriotic activities together with our international friends. For example, on the eve of the Chinese National Day in 2015, we joined hands with Ningbo University to plan the Ningbo International Celebration, where Ningbo-based international friends coming from 66 countries painted 66 peonies with different shapes and colors on a 9.9-meter-long scroll. The peony symbolizes openness, love, and happiness and beauty, therefore it is a perfect Chinese cultural symbol to share with peoples from all over the world.
In order to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of rural people and improve international cultural exchange, Ningbo Jiulonghu Lake Red Peony International House has invited the ambassador of China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo, a Latvian lady named Helena to paint peonies with local people every Saturday since July 10, 2021.
“I have been in China for many years and I am also a Ningbo daughter-in-law. I like Chinese culture very much, and I hope to make my own contribution to Ningbos foreign cultural exchange.” Helena told the reporter.
Since March this year, Red Peony has carried out more than 30 international cultural exchange activities, successfully making international friends better understand the beautiful Chinese culture and also allowing the Chinese rural culture to go global.
(written by Jiang Hongsheng, the Founder and President of Ningbo Red Peony Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting & Calligraphy)