Art transcends borders

A member of the Red Peony International Volunteer Team (right) teaches a child to paint peony blossoms in Zhenhai district on March 4. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Over the past decade, the Red Peony International Volunteer Team from Ningbo, Zhejiang province has connected people around the world through traditional Chinese art.

In 2012, Jiang Hongsheng, a teacher in Ningbo, started teaching expats to paint peonies – China's national bloom – for free. Since then, he has been promoting this traditional Chinese art to the world.

"The flowers are symbols of inclusiveness, peace, friendship, and love," said Jiang, "They are also coherent with the spirit of Lei Feng (a soldier and role model in China who was celebrated for selflessly helping others)."

Jiang created a set of painting techniques to help those who have no prior painting experience more easily learn the traditional art form. Using the techniques, they can learn how to paint a beautiful peony blossom within two hours.

Many learners have joined Jiang's volunteer team to spread what they have learned to more people. According to Jiang, more than 13,000 volunteers from over 170 countries and regions have offered free painting lessons to nearly 2.3 million people around the world.

In 2022, a project launched by the team was named one of the best volunteer service projects in Zhejiang province.  

"Starting from Ningbo, we will promote love and the Lei Feng spirit to the world," Jiang said.

On March 4, to celebrate Lei Feng Day, which falls on March 5, the Red Peony team held a free lesson in the city's Zhenhai district to teach a group of students to paint peonies and write Chinese calligraphy.