The press conference of the inaugural Orchid Awards was held in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Courtesy of the China International Communications Group

Chinese organizers on Wednesday announced the shortlist for the Orchid Awards, an event committed to promoting international cultural dialogue and exchanges.

Established by the China International Communications Group (CICG), the Orchid Awards aim to promote mutual learning between Chinese and other civilizations by bestowing awards in three categories - Lifetime Honorary Prize, Outstanding Achievement Prize and Friendship Envoy Prize - on non-Chinese nationals or organizations based on their achievements, contributions and international influence, according to a press release issued by CICG.

Fan Di'an, deputy chair of the Orchid Awards Expert Committee and chair of the China Artist Association, explained the design of the awards' logo at the press conference. He said in traditional Chinese culture, the orchid represents elegance, integrity and nobility of character. It also symbolizes a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

CAFA Design Team at the The press conference

In traditional Chinese culture, the orchid is revered as the "flower of gentlemen" and serves as a spiritual symbol of Chinese culture. It represents mutual respect and learning between different cultures and civilizations. The orchid signifies elegance, purity, and noble character, while also representing the equal, harmonious, and friendly coexistence between humans and nature, as well as among people.

To meet the adaptability of using the Orchid Award emblem on different media, the design team has also created a dedicated typeface for the Orchid Award. The Chinese typeface is a dignified and formal Song font, echoing the resolute image and cultural connotation of the emblem and the award. It retains the horizontal strokes characteristic of the Song font while simplifying other strokes, such as vertical strokes, to align with the concise and elegant style of the emblem, thus improving legibility. For the English part, a serif typeface that matches the Song font is selected, emphasizing the stroke characteristics formed by writing and harmonizing with the Chinese characters, complementing the Orchid emblem graphically.