A global call for entries for the "Waterfront Reimagined in Ink" 2025 Zhujiajiao International Art Season and the 9th Zhujiajiao International Youth Ink Art Competition commenced in Zhujiajiao, a historic water town in Shanghai's Qingpu district, on April 20.

The competition encourages young artists worldwide to explore the theme of waterfronts, blending traditional ink techniques with modern technologies like artificial intelligence.

The competition features a dual-track structure, dividing participants into two groups. The "present" group is tasked with depicting waterfront life as it exists in 2025, while the "future" group envisions a future in 2035 where technology and humanity coexist harmoniously.

Participants, aged 4-17, can submit their creations through calligraphy, ink painting, AI art or photography. They are encouraged to showcase iconic waterfronts, such as those of Shanghai's Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek, Zhujiajiao ancient town, and the Thames River. The deadline for submissions is May 25, and entries can be submitted via the official WeChat account "Charming Ink Youth".

Highlighting the scale and impact of previous competitions, organizers revealed that the 8th iteration in 2024 attracted 3,500 young participants from 12 countries. They created 3,818 artworks which were translated into seven languages, generating 3 million impressions across various media platforms.

The art season will also host international creative initiatives. In May, the Shanghai AI Creation Camp will pair Chinese and British youths for a digital art project named "waterfront rebirth", under the guidance of experienced artists. Simultaneously, environmental workshops in London will focus on creating waterfront art installations using recycled materials. Winning artworks will be exhibited in Zhujiajiao, the London County Council, and the Paris Galerie du Génie de la Bastille starting in August.

Since 2017, the competition has attracted over 100,000 participants from 12 countries, including 2,921 international young artists.

Zhao Meng, deputy director of the Ink Rhythm Yangtze River Delta International Art Education Base, a co-organizer of the event, emphasized the competition's goal to foster understanding of the human-nature relationship.

"We want the children to feel nature, the changes around them, and the relationship between the waterfront and our lives from an early age," Zhao said, also highlighting the dedication to nurturing interest in traditional Chinese culture and ink art. "We are more dedicated to fostering children's interests, especially in Chinese traditional culture and ink art."

She noted that the French public warmly received Chinese ink paintings displayed in last year's competition.

"We found that the French really liked our Chinese ink paintings, because they spent the most time looking at the ink paintings in the exhibition space," Zhao said.

Nine-year-old Zhao Qingling, a former winner who recited poetry at the launch, expressed her enthusiasm for the competition.

Sun Shanshan, mother of nine-year-old former winner Mu Zimo, highlighted the role of such events in language development and fostering a global perspective. "I think it is very beneficial for them to open up their international horizons in the future," Sun said. "I have always believed that aesthetic ability equals competitiveness, so I think aesthetic education is very important and will be very competitive in the future."