Li Zhimin (1925- 1994), a professor in Peking University, and Qi Gong (19 12-2005), a professor in Beijing Normal University, have forgotten each other despite their age difference of 13 years. Both of them studied calligraphy from childhood. Before liberation, Mr. Qi Gong worked as a teaching assistant in the Fine Arts Department of Fu Jen Catholic University, and Mr. Li Zhimin was also a graduate of Wuchang Art College. Later, both of them were senior scholars in Beijing universities. Both of them became famous in the calligraphy field in the 1980s, and they have many similarities. At the beginning of reform and opening up, calligraphy began to revive. As the first president of Peking University Yanyuan Calligraphy and Painting Association (the predecessor of Peking University Calligraphy and Painting Association), Mr. Li Zhimin exchanged calligraphy skills with Mr. Qi Gong, the first president of Beijing Calligraphers Association, for many times to discuss the revitalization of China calligraphy. Mr. Qi Gong even praised Mr. Li Zhimin's calligraphy attainments, saying, "Only by integrating the inscriptions can we break through the barriers of our predecessors. Mr. Li Zhimin's exploration of introducing monuments into the grass represents the direction of China's calligraphy. "

1988, Mr. Qi Gong was elected honorary chairman of Beijing Calligraphers Association. Under his solemn proposal, Mr. Li Zhimin was elected as the first vice chairman of the Beijing Calligraphers Association and the director of the judging committee, with Liu Qian, Lan Yusong and Gu Xi as the deputy directors of the judging committee, and Bu Xiyang, Yin Shoushi, Wu Weichun, Ouyang Zhongshi, Qin Gong, Yuan Qiwei, Xu Huanrong and Kang Yin as the judging committee members. Together with other friends in the calligraphy field, they developed the Calligraphy Association, which promoted the development and prosperity of calligraphy in China, and their influence was growing.

1990 autumn, initiated by Peking University Art Teaching and Research Section, the first calligraphy art research class. This is the first nationwide calligraphy art research class since Peking University was founded. More than 65,438+000 students from all over the country came to Peking University for further study. This seminar is directed by Mr. Li Zhimin, with Chen Yulong, Ji Xianlin, Yang Xin, Yuan Xingpei, Zhang Xin (husband), Ouyang, as the main teachers. Mr. Qi Gong also gave strong support to this seminar and recommended many after-school students to attend the seminar.

Professor Zhang Zhenguo (Weng Tu), the calligraphy teacher of Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand and the president of the Peking University Calligraphy and Painting Research Association, later recalled the grand occasion of calligraphy in the 1980s, and often said: "At that time, there were three people with the best calligraphy in universities in Beijing, Li Zhimin of Peking University, Qigong of Beijing Normal University and Ouyang Zhongshi of the First Normal University. Teacher Li's cursive script is the best in Wei Bei, but he left first. If Mr. Li were here today, he would be very famous. " He also said that when Mr. Li Zhimin was alive, when he was talking about fame, he once said to people, "Be silent before you die, and leave your name after you die." . These eight characters are a true portrayal of the older generation of calligraphers who are indifferent and proficient in calligraphy.

As a leader of Buddhism, Mr. Zhao Puchu also actively participated in promoting the prosperity of calligraphy. In view of Mr. Zhao Puchu's advanced age, Mr. Li Zhimin and I, as well as Zhang Xin, then a young teacher at Peking University and later a leading figure in contemporary literati calligraphy, visited Mr. Zhao Puchu many times to discuss calligraphy issues, leaving many unforgettable moments. Mr. Zhao Puchu said that he "read Li Zhimin's books first, and then meet him". The first time I saw his big grass works, I found it really difficult to read and a little rough. You can put it aside, but when you look at it occasionally, you feel that its stippling is old and vigorous, and there is no lack of genius. So, appreciate it carefully and sigh its authenticity! "Later, the two became bosom friends in art.. Mr. Zhao Puchu regards Mr. Li Zhimin as the bearer and leader of contemporary calligraphy, and has repeatedly put forward valuable opinions for Mr. Li's "Draw a Monument into the Grass". Unfortunately, Mr. Li Zhimin, who was old, died before Mr. Zhao Puchu. Since then, the two of us have been separated by two worlds.

(Excerpt from: Professor Xin Yang from Peking University News Network)