Calligraphy – And Its Celebration
World Calligraphy Day, 14 August: A Written Art
Each year, on the second Wednesday in August, World Calligraphy Day is celebrated. You might not have heard of calligraphy – and therefore you do not know what it is. Well, calligraphy is the art of designing and writing in a very stylistic, beautiful way. Its origins go back a long way and can be linked to ancient ways of living in countries all across the world.
Calligraphers do not just write – every letter and word that is produced is intended to be elegant, artful and beautiful. It is the art of producing aesthetically pleasing, stunning words and letters. Current evidence shows it first appeared in 200BC, in China. However, it has been identified as one of the oldest forms of communication in manuscript writing – even the original Bible was written in Biblical Hebrew calligraphy. Nowadays, largely due to Western influences, this art has taken on a more contemporary, modern perspective.
Calligraphy Today
Modern calligraphers believe that what they produce is an interpretation of the individual. The letters and words that are produced are intended to be harmonious – with rhythm and flow being at the forefront of what is created.
You may be wondering how a day celebrating this age-old art form came about. Well, it is relatively new. A pen company called Manuscript held the first event in 2017. The intention has always been to raise the profile of calligraphy and bring together enthusiasts from all over the world. For those who practice it, it is a big part of their creative lives, very much like it would be if you were a writer or a painter. If you are new to it, though, here are some suggestions of how to get involved:
• Sign up to a beginner’s course
• Study the different forms of calligraphy
• Share your thoughts and word on social media using #WorldCalligraphyDay
If you are a fan, you could even tell others about it!
So, on 14 August 2024, spend a bit of time thinking about the importance of calligraphy – being creative in this way can open up a whole new world.
