"The most challenging part was that I didn’t know how to control the brush properly. Though I’m more proficient now, I still want to improve my skill, so I spend lots of time learning Sino-Vietnamese parallel sentences," he said.
Jean writes calligraphies for visitors. (Photo: Ngoc Mai/VOV5) |
Vietnamese calligraphy is a visual art that reflects the writer’s style, education level, personality, and ideology, Jean said. While developing his calligraphic skill and figuring out his own style, he has learned many things to improve himself.
"In addition to calligraphy, I also studied Vietnamese traditional medicine and Tai Chi Chuan. I believe they are related to each other, and they have helped me to practice calmness, carefulness, and concentration. Using traditional medicine, I give people free medical examinations, and using calligraphy, I transfer good wishes and positive energy to people."
"I think that with each character drawn, the scholar should express 3 things: the beauty of the strokes, the meaning of the character, and the power and charisma of the writer. Thanks to calligraphy, a scholar, by writing meaningful characters, can transmit spiritual value and bringing people’s wishes to reality," Jean said.
For Jean, Vietnamese calligraphy is more than just an art, it has nurtured his soul and enriched his spiritual life. It has inspired him to promote this traditional skill to his foreign friends in various ways.
Jean said he is planning to open a class to teach Vietnamese calligraphy and a calligraphy exhibition to showcase his works in order to indulge his passion, and promote the meaningful beauty of Vietnamese culture to the international community in France.
For Jean, Vietnamese calligraphy is more than just an art, it has nurtured his soul and enriched his spiritual life. (Photo: Ngoc Mai/VOV5)
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No matter what challenges he faces, Jean never gives up. He has never stopped spending nights and weekends alone in his study honing his Vietnamese vocabulary, grinding his ink, and practicing calligraphy. His persistent efforts have wowed both Vietnamese and foreigners.
Here are what visitors, who received calligraphy works from Jean, have to say about him.
“It was amazing that a French calligrapher gave me this beautiful calligraphy. I love it! Very impressive!”
“He gave me the word 'Duc' in Vietnamese, which he explained to me means 'Moral'. Just looking at the text, I would never imagine this Vietnamese calligraphy was written by a foreigner."
“Every year I go to the Temple of Literature to ask for a New Year calligraphy. This is the first time I’ve seen a foreign calligrapher here. It made me curious, so I asked for the word 'Tai' (Talent), as this year I’m going to take the university entrance exam. The calligraphy is very beautiful!”