KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Kota Kinabalu Chinese Calligraphy Association has partnered with a resort here for its Arts & Culture project.
The three-day event was aimed at enhancing cultural appreciation among resort guests at Tanjung Aru here and local communities fostering a deeper understanding of the art form.
The workshops were led by master calligrapher Teo Seng Chong and the association's deputy secretary Ng Keam.
The resort chose Chinese calligraphy as the subject for this year's Arts & Culture project in the hope that it will serve as a bridge between different cultures in multi-ethnic Sabah.
The workshops and exhibition offered a platform for cultural exchanges as well as fostering mutual respect and understanding among various communities.
According to the 2020 Malaysia Census, the Chinese community makes up approximately 9.1 per cent or 370,000 of Sabah's population, contributing to various sectors, including education, business and politics.
Chinese immigration to Sabah can be traced back to early trade interactions, even before British rule began in 1881. The Hakka community, in particular, made significant contributions to agriculture, mining and trade.
The British North Borneo Company also actively encouraged Chinese immigration to strengthen the local economy. Over time, the Chinese community integrated with the local population, playing a vital role in Sabah's cultural and economic development.
The project concluded with a one-day exhibition at the resort's lobby, displaying the artwork of the workshop participants which were viewed by more than 1,000 people.