The ceremony opened to warm applause. Distinguished guests attending included: (far left) Representative of THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFCTW INTERNATIONAL ARTS; (second from left) Mr. Ricky Fung, Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council Osaka Office; (third from left) Ms. Miki Kitagawa, Kyoto City Councilor; (third from right) Ms. Sayuri Hasegawa, Executive Managing Director, Japan Art Association; (second from right) Mr. Takahiko Shiomi, Associate Professor, Kyoto University of the Arts; (far right) Mr. Xiao Han, Principal, Japan Qiming Art Academy.

In a speech, the representative of the THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFCTW INTERNATIONAL ARTS said: “We have always believed that art is the best bridge across language and cultural barriers. These young creators, through their pure perspectives and unique expressions, have shown us the richness and beauty of diverse cultures worldwide.”

Exhibition of diverse cultures—Kyocera Museum of Art shines

After the award ceremony, guests and participants moved to the exhibition hall to appreciate the outstanding works of the competition. The galleries of the Kyocera Museum of Art were bustling; participants, parents, and art lovers from around the world paused before each remarkable work, savoring the cultural connotations and artistic value behind them.

The competition adopted “Cultural Garden” as its theme, encouraging youths and children to express the cultural characteristics of their countries and regions through painting and calligraphy. The exhibited works covered a broad range—from the charm of Eastern ink to the texture of Western oils, from traditional festival scenes to modern urban landscapes—showcasing the younger generation’s unique understanding of cultural inheritance and innovation.

A parent from Taiwan shared emotionally: “I see children using the language of art to tell their cultural stories; this silent exchange is more powerful than any spoken language.”

Building a platform for artistic exchange to promote cultural integration

Now in its fifth edition, the CTW International Youth and Children Painting & Calligraphy Competition remains committed to providing a global stage for art-loving youths to showcase their talents. This summer’s competition received over 4,000 entries from multiple countries and regions. After rigorous judging, the winners were selected.

Associate Professor Takahiko Shiomi of Kyoto University of the Arts commented after viewing the exhibition: “These works not only demonstrate high technical skill but, more importantly, reflect the children’s deep understanding of their own cultures and their creative expression. This kind of cross-cultural artistic dialogue is crucial for cultivating the next generation’s global perspective.”

Looking ahead—meeting again on the bridge of art

With the successful conclusion of the award ceremony, the organizers will continue to work toward the next edition, enabling more young art enthusiasts to participate in this international art event. The exhibition venue was filled with both joy and reluctance to part. Award winners held certificates and took commemorative photos with their works, agreeing to meet again next year.

For detailed information on the next competition, please follow the official website of the THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFCTW INTERNATIONAL ARTS.

Award recipients of the Grand Prize present at the ceremony.

Award recipients of the “Mayor’s Award” present at the ceremony.

Group photo from the award ceremony.

CTW International Art Award winners.

CTW International Youth and Children Painting & Calligraphy 2025 Summer Competition —

鹽 ⾒ 貴 彥 T a k a h i k o S h i o m I

皆 さ ん 、 こ ん に ち は 。 よ う こ そ ⽇ 本 の 京 都 へ 。 私 た ち は 、 皆 さ ん の 来 ⽇ を ⼼ よ り 歓 迎 し ま す 。 京 都は 1 2 0 0 年 以 上 の 歴 史 が あ り 、 ⽇ 本 を 代 表 す る 国 際 ⽂ 化 都 市 で す 。 本 コ ン ク ー ル は 、 青 少 年 ‧ 児童 の 皆 さ ん が ⾃ ら の 感 性 や 創 造 ⼒ を 存 分 に 発 揮 し 、 芸 術 を 通 じ て 交 流 を 深 め る こ と を ⽬ 的 と して い ま す 。

【 各 ⾃ が 筆 を も っ て 世 界 の 扉 を 開 く こ と 】

こ れ を 合 ⾔ 葉 に 、 皆 さ ん の 創 作 の 旅 は 始 ま り ま し た 。 時 に は 悩 ん だ り 、 思 う よ う に 表 現 で き な かっ た こ と も あ っ た で し ょ う 。 壁 を ⾒ て く だ さ い 。 具 象 ‧ 抽 象 ‧ ⾊ 彩 ‧ 空 間 ⼀ ー そ こ に は 個 性 が 満 ち溢 れ て い ま す 。 1 枚 1 枚 は 決 し て ⼤ き く あ り ま せ ん 。 し か し 、 筆 と ⼼ を ⼀ 体 に し て 夢 中 で 表 現 す る中 に 、 誰 も 真 似 す る こ と が で き な い 深 い 精 神 性 と 無 限 の 広 が り が あ り ま す 。 今 回 、 審 査 員 を 務 めま し た が 、 多 く の 作 品 に 触 れ る 中 で 、 皆 さ ん が ⼼ に 移 め て い る 思 い を 感 じ る こ と が で き 、 と て も 嬉し く 思 い ま す 。

⾔ 葉 が 無 く て も 伝 わ る も の 、 そ れ が 芸 術 表 現 の 魅 ⼒ だ と 思 い ま す 。 こ れ か ら も 、 未 来 に 向 か っ て、 若 い 世 代 の 皆 さ ん が 絵 画 や 書 道 を 通 じ て ⾃ ⼰ 表 現 を 磨 き 、 国 境 や ⽂ 化 を 越 え た 交 流 の 輪 が 広が る こ と を 、 ⼼ か ら 願 っ て お り ま す 。

Welcome your visit to Japan and our Exhibition. Kyoto is a historic international cultural city representing Japan, with over 1,200 years of history. This competition aims to provide a platform for young people and children to fully express their sensibilities and creativity, fostering deeper exchanges through art. "With our own pens, we open the doors to the world"With this motto, your creative journey began. There may have been times when you struggled or found it challenging to express yourselves as desired.

Look at the walls: Figurative, abstract, color, space-they are overflowing with individuality. Each piece may not be large in size. Yet, in the fusion of brush and heart, expressed with passion, lies a profound spirituality and infinite expansiveness that no one can replicate. As one of the judges this time, I had the opportunity to engage with many works.It brought me great joy to sense the emotions you hold deep in your hearts. What can be conveyed without words—| believe, is the charm of artistic expression.

Moving forward, I sincerely hope that the younger generation will continue to refine their self-expression through painting and calligraphy and that the circle of cross-border and cross-cultural exchanges will expand even further.

CTW International Youth and Children Painting & Calligraphy 2025 Summer Competition —

Kyoto City Councilor - 北川美希

"It is a great pleasure to gather with everyone here in Kyoto today for this exhibition.

On behalf of the city of Kyoto, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your attendance. I also thank you all for showcasing cultures from different countries and regions through your artworks. This is not only a wonderful cultural exchange but also provides us with a valuable opportunity to deepen the connections and friendships between Japan and various parts of the world through art.

I sincerely hope that you will all continue to strive forward, creating more moving works of art, so that we may have the pleasure of gathering and interacting on a platform like this again and again. Thank you very much!"

Japanese Translation:

 "本日、京都にて皆様とこの作品展でご一緒できますこと、大変嬉しく思います。

ここに、京都市を代表いたしまして、ご来場の皆様に心より感謝申し上げます。また、各国‧各地域の文化を作品を通じてご披露くださいましたことにも、感謝いたします。これは素晴らしい文化交流の場であるだけでなく、藝術を通じて日本と世界諸地域との絆と友好を深める機ともなっております。

今後ともより一層ご努力され、心動かす作品を数多く創り出され、このような場で再び繰り返しお会いし交流できますことを願っております。皆様、ありがとうございました。"