The Toronto New Generation Chinese Writing Seminar and the Launch of "Ink Fragrance Under the Maple Leaves" were successfully held.
(HuaWenNet Toronto News, reporter Fengqiao) On November 9th, the “Toronto New Generation Chinese Writing Seminar and ”Ink Fragrance Under the Maple Leaves“ Book Launch” was grandly held in Richmond Hill, co-hosted by the Zhou Enlai Foundation and the Canadian Chinese Writers Association, and co-organized by More优 Education and Shuang Kuai Chinese. The event, themed "Writing Every Sentence of Chinese Excellently - Building the Overseas Youth Chinese Writing Dream Together," showcased the latest achievements and directions of overseas Chinese writing education through opening speeches, a new book unveiling, student recitations and expert comments, parent speeches, and keynote speeches. Despite the snow, guests arrived in large numbers, with thoughts and words shining, and dozens of guests, parents, teachers, and students jointly witnessed the fruitful results of 330 student masterpieces and ten years of dedication to Chinese education.
A timely snow welcomes guests, a flowing literary legacy.
The event was hosted by Luo Yangfu, co-founder of “Geng You Education‘ and principal of ’Shuai Kuai Chinese,” who opened with poetic words: "A timely snow promises a good year. This unexpected beautiful snow is precisely our most fruitful 'harvest' – the publication of the students' essay collection, 'Ink Fragrance Under the Maple Leaves'!" The white snowflakes symbolize purity and hope, as well as a flourishing new chapter for overseas Chinese language education.
Zhou Yue, Chairman of the Zhou Enlai Foundation, began his speech by discussing the origins of Chinese characters as pictographs and the logic of their radicals, emphasizing the profound significance of learning Chinese for logical thinking and cultural identity.
Yan Fei, president of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association, pointed out that the charm of literary writing lies in “transmission” and “relay,” and expressed hope that such activities would build a bridge of thought and creativity for overseas youth. He recited the great man's poem "Bu Suan Zi · Yong Mei" on the spot, which was full of poetic imagery and met with thunderous applause.
Richmond City Councilor Binghui Cui, drawing from the cultural origins of Chinese characters like “子” (child) and “云” (cloud), encouraged the new generation to “use words as a bridge to connect with the wider community.”
Dr. Zhai Naigang, President of the Chinese Education Association of Canada, highly praised the publication of “Ink Fragrance Under the Maple Leaf“ as a “feat.” Zhou Zhihua, President of Jiahua Media, “hopes that more events like this can take place, allowing Chinese language to take root, grow, and be passed down in overseas soil.” Teacher Shan Tong said, "Chinese is not just a language, but an indelible cultural memory of a nation, and our spiritual homeland that transcends mountains and seas."
Ten years of honing, a new book sets sail.
With the joint unveiling by Zhou Yue and Yan Fei, “Ink Fragrance Under the Maple Leaf” was officially released. Editor-in-chief Luo Yangfu recounted the origin of the essay collection with “ten years of dedication.” From classroom sharing to platform dissemination, from parental inspiration to systematic compilation, it has become a "people-nurturing archive" that condenses ten years of hard work in Chinese education.
The book includes 330 student essays, 4 renowned prefaces, 13 parent testimonials, and 4 teacher articles, documenting the children's growth trajectories and witnessing the persistence and innovation in Chinese education. Luo Yangfu mentioned that all students in the school have created a cumulative 560 works this year, forming a “weekly update, bi-weekly update” writing mechanism. In the future, the school will continue to encourage student writing and support their college applications through publication.
Young Voices, Master Reviews
“Young Authors Read + Expert On-the-Spot Critiques” became the highlight of the entire event. Over ten young authors read their works aloud on stage, and eleven writers, poets, and education experts provided engaging critiques, both offering “in-the-moment rhetorical advice” and “pointing toward methods”:
Iwanami Writers' Review of You Luojia's "An Interesting Summer Vacation": The author connects three events with a timeline—reading "The Old Man and the Sea," the joy of a new family member, and a camping experience—creating a story that is distinct in its layers, rigorous in its structure, and substantial in its content.
Writer Hao Wei's review of Ye Tongtong's "If I Became a Kitten": Full of childlike innocence, vivid details, imagination, and the warmth of life.
Professor Sun Ruixiang's review of Ma Anqi's "My Home": Interweaving narrative and discussion, with escalating stages, embodying cultural warmth within family narrative.
Ancient poet reviews Cui Zichen's “The Little Turtle and the Little Rabbit”: Seeing the big picture from the small, it displays genuine emotions within the value shift of "responsibility - rules - friendship."
Teacher Lu Jie comments on He Jingwen's “The Thief”: By constructing a closed structural loop with the triple metaphor of "numbers—time—health," the work demonstrates a contemplative ability that transcends age.
Martha, writer and critic, comments on Fanke's "Impressions of Nezha 2": Contrasting mythical figures with contemporary issues, demonstrating depth of thought and cultural awareness.
Poet Yuke Snake reviews Yuan Mingzhe's "My Friend Duoduo": "A simple depiction of friendship, showing the progression of emotions through the seasons as a narrative thread, with fresh and natural brushstrokes."
Editor Chen Rong's review of Kong Kong's “My Strange Chinese Name”: Starting from the two characters "Kong Kong," it fuses cultural codes with technological imagination, presenting an innovative, childlike, and charming concept.
Writer Wan Mu comments on Tang Enjun's continuation of “Mr. Dongguo and the Wolf”: Bravely touches upon the ethical proposition of "xiangyuan and judgment," with prominent thoughtfulness.
Teacher Li Yan's review of Zhang Zixuan's “Encountering Painting”: Narrating passion with "flow," pure language, and beautiful rhythm.
Writer Pang Jin comments on Zhang Jiping's "Traveling in Ottawa": Writes with dual lines of taste and vision, charting childlike observations, sincere and natural.
During this time, Councilor Cui Binghui and writer Martha also spontaneously recited student Tang Enjun's work "Continuing the Story of Mr. Dongguo and the Wolf," winning thunderous applause from the audience.
Home and school united, culture resonates.
Parent representative Feng Tianqi's mother and Zhao Yi's mother gave sincere and moving speeches. “Written language is the backbone of overseas children.” They likened the power of Chinese language education to “dandelion seeds,” stating: “The cultural seeds sown by Teacher Luo are taking root and sprouting everywhere, a contribution for the present and a legacy for generations to come.”
In the keynote session, guests including Iwayama, Pang Jin, Sun Ruixiang, Zhai Naigang, Gu Tu, Zhu Yany an, Zhou Zhihua, Hao Wei, Yu She, and Feng Wenjun offered insightful perspectives from angles such as “fertile ground of multiculturalism,” “advanced writing pathways,” and “evaluation standards in overseas contexts,” collectively outlining a long-term vision for overseas Chinese language education.
Lingering charm, continuous cultural heritage
At the end of the event, Luo Yangfu concluded with the poetic imagery of “the bright moon hanging on the pagoda's tip”: “The new moon is awaited, and the gathered wise will witness it together.”
After the meeting, many writers and scholars, including Iwanami, Pang Jin, Long Muhua, Hao Wei, Dan Tong, and Chujian, wrote articles praising the event for “bringing together thought and writing, and allowing Chinese to take root and blossom overseas.”
Guest List
Bing Hin Chui (Richmond Hill City Councillor)
Zhou Yue (Chairman of the Zhou Enlai Foundation)
Yan Fei (Chairman of the Chinese Writers Association of Canada)
Iwanami (Vice Chairman of the Chinese-Canadian Writers Association)
Pang Jin (Vice President of the Canada-China Writers Association)
Zhu Yan Yan (President, Overseas Chinese Cultural Centre, Canada)
Zhou Zhihua (President of Jiahua Media, Director of the Sino-Canadian Writers Association)
Zhai Naigang (President of the Canadian Chinese Language Education Association)
Sun Ruixiang (President of Gonggong News Agency, Director of the Chinese-Canadian Writers Association)
Wan Mu (Director of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association)
Fang Zhenghong (Founding President of the Canadian Care Lions Club, Director of the Chinese-Canadian Writers Association)
Long Mingshan (President of Xi'an Ontario Publishing House, Canada)
Martha (Founder of Canadian Little Elephant Media)
Chen Rong (Editor-in-Chief of North American Voice, Director of the Chinese Canadian Writers Association)
Gu Tu (Dean of Hupan Academy, Director of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association)
Gouyuu (President of Pacific Poetry Association)
Hao Wei (Senior Overseas Chinese Teacher, Media Writer)
Li Yan (President of Value Life Financial Company, Literary Affairs Officer of the Canada-China Writers Association)
Shi Dexin (President of Dexin Finance Company, Toronto Oriental Finance Group, Director of Guizhou Fellow Townsmen Association)
Feng Wenjun (Administrative Assistant, Office of the Canadian Chinese Writers Association)
Lu Jie (Public Relations Officer, Canadian Chinese Writers Association)
Zeng Yi (Vice President, Atlantic Cultural Exchange Association)
LILI CHENG (Senior Media Professional)
Fu Ju (Canadian Association of Chinese Writers Secretariat)
Dai Liyan (Senior Photographer)
Liu Zihua (Vice Principal of Gengyou Education)
About "Ink Fragrance Under the Maple Leaves"
The bilingual Chinese student essay collection "Ink Fragrance Beneath the Maple Leaves – Toronto's New Generation Writing," sponsored by the Zhou Enlai Foundation, was recently officially published by Canadian Western Ontario Publishing House. The book is 447 pages thick, contains 380,000 characters, and is rich in content and finely selected. It not only brings together 330 award-winning and excellent student essays but also includes five heartfelt prefaces by writers and Chinese education experts, as well as 13 parent testimonials and 4 teacher insights.
This collection of essays is rich in content, exquisitely edited, and of superior quality. It not only showcases the development and achievements of the Better Chinese Bilingual School in recent years but also serves as a vivid portrayal and a brilliant testament to the efforts of Toronto's new generation of Chinese youth in learning Chinese and preserving their cultural heritage.
