Since the 2026 Xiao County Fuyang Cultural Festival opened in mid July, the small county of Suzhou City in Anhui Province has been bathed in the aroma of mutton cuisines and sheep-centered cultural celebrations.
During the festival, studios of local artists Shen Qian and Chen Zhaohui welcomed a visitor named Liu Xinxin who was keen to learn about the popular sheep-themed culture there.
At the studio of Shen, vice chairman of the Calligraphers Association of Xiao County, she skillfully blended the ancient Chinese character for sheep and the image of a sheep and created a calligraphy work that reads "Auspicious Sheep & Good Fortune".
For Chen, member of Anhui Province Artists Association, his painting named "Three Sheep Bring Great Fortune" presents lush, mellow ink tones and poetic scenes in a freehand style.
As one of the first batch of "Hometowns of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy" in China, Xiao County is now steeped in its beloved sheep-themed culture during the 21-day-long festival that will last until August 4.
A single purchase
