On April 10, 2026, Professor Zhu Shuai from Peking University delivered a lecture titled ‘Between Stele and Model Calligraphy: The Modern Turn of Calligraphy in the Late Qing and Republican Era’ at the School of Arts, Nanjing University. Tracing the threads of media transformation and the eastward spread of Western learning, the lecture systematically examined calligraphy’s evolution from a literati pastime into an independent art form. Professor Zhu pointed out that changes in communication media have reshaped the perception and aesthetic framework of calligraphy. Three doctoral students from Peking University joined the discussion, offering reflection from global perspective, material technology, and art criticism. The lecture emphasized that in the digital age, it is essential to safeguard the embodiment and spirituality of calligraphy—understanding change while recognizing constancy—so as to sustain the spiritual roots of Chinese art. The lecture was chaired by Professor Zhou Jiwu.