The 2026 South Netherlands Traditional Character Cultural Festival （2026 南荷地區正體漢字文化節）was held at Best Library on May 30 by the Taiwanese School of the Taiwan Business Families in the South Netherlands (TSN), together with teachers from the TCML-TSN, to promote traditional characters and Taiwanese cultural heritage. Supported by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) of Taiwan, the event was expanded this year and attracted many local residents interested in learning about Taiwanese language and culture.
The event was designed as a cultural festival featuring a variety of hands-on activities that introduced participants to different forms of traditional character arts. Before the activities began, local erhu performer Chris Hsieh presented several musical pieces, creating a welcoming atmosphere and introducing participants to a traditional Chinese musical instrument.
Three interactive workshops were offered throughout the day: calligraphy writing, water calligraphy, and traditional character fan printing.
During the calligraphy workshop, teachers Tao-Siew Chong and Fanny Jiang guided participants in writing the character “福” (fu), meaning “good fortune” or “blessing.” For many attendees, it was their first time using a Chinese brush. Participants carefully followed each stroke and completed their own calligraphy artwork. Several participants shared that they were pleased with their creations and enjoyed learning about the meaning and structure of characters.
The water calligraphy activity was led by Zhong Wen Yi Jiao（中文一角） volunteer Ya-Ping Hsu and Chris Hsieh. Using brushes and reusable water-writing cloths, participants practiced characters with water instead of ink. The activity provided a relaxed environment for learners to experiment with brush techniques while becoming familiar with the rhythm and movement of writing.
The fan-printing workshop offered participants another opportunity to explore characters through hands-on creativity. Guided by TCML-TSN teacher Jiani Lee, participants used sponge stamps and character stencils to decorate traditional hand fans. The warm weather encouraged many participants to use their newly created fans immediately after finishing their designs. Participants gathered to admire one another’s work, exchange ideas, and discuss their experiences throughout the afternoon.
To complement the cultural activities, participants also enjoyed Taiwanese foods prepared by local business HeJiaBon Taiwanese Cuisine, including braised eggs and braised tofu, which many tried for the first time. The tasting gave visitors a chance to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine in a relaxed setting.
According to event organizer and TCML-TSN teacher Serena Wang, the program was developed in response to the enthusiastic feedback received from a previous calligraphy event. By expanding the range of activities, the organizers hoped to encourage more hands-on engagement with traditional characters.
Through music, art, language, and hands-on activities, local residents experienced traditional character culture firsthand.
