Wearing traditional Chinese clothes, 60 kids from Shuanghuwan, Rongyu, Linrui and Qiongjidun communities took part in the first writing ceremony at Shuanghuwan Sports Center, SIP on Sept 1. The event offered them a good chance to experience authentic ancient Chinese culture and rites.

In ancient China, the first writing ceremony was a very important rite of passage for every child before they were admitted to school. It is still held in some areas in the country today as a way to help youngsters better understand the significance and objectives of their study.

The event started with a ceremony to worship Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC), followed by the formalities where the teachers used a writing brush to paint a red dot on each child's forehead, which is called "opening the wisdom eye", and the children beat drums as a symbol of their determination to achieve their aspirations, practiced handwriting and recited a classic literary work on disciplines and moral standards that people should follow.