Ottoman Calligraphy: Talk & Live Demonstration

Rizwan Ahmed Khan will explore the art of Ottoman calligraphy, its history, traditions and enduring visual language. Drawing on his own training in the classical master–student tradition, Rizwan will introduce the principles, tools and techniques of calligraphy, looking at letter formation, proportion and composition, as well as the discipline and practice behind the art form. The session will conclude with a live demonstration, offering audiences the opportunity to see these principles in practice as Rizwan creates a calligraphic composition using the traditional reed pen and ink. This talk and live demonstration accompanies Script and Pattern: Akkase Ebru, an exhibition featuring the work of Prof. Ahmet Sacit Açıkgözoğlu and bringing together ebru and calligraphy within the wider tradition of Ottoman manuscript arts. Please note that doors will close shortly before the advertised time so we request that you arrive 15 minutes before the start time. In collaboration with Yunus Emre Enstitüsü - London (@yeelondra), a registered charity promoting Turkish language and culture About Rizwan Ahmed Khan Rizwan Ahmed Khan (b. 1991) is a classically trained calligraphic artist who has been practising the scribal arts since 2015. Born and raised in London, he has studied both Western and Islamic calligraphy with a number of distinguished practitioners, including Gaynor Goffe, Soraya Syed and Ivo Grantins. In 2018, he moved to Istanbul to pursue intensive training in the Ottoman tradition of Islamic calligraphy, studying with Efdaluddin Kılıç. In 2022, he was awarded his icazetname (traditional calligrapher’s licence) at the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) in Istanbul. Rizwan continues to practise and teach calligraphy between London and Istanbul, drawing on both Islamic and Western lettering traditions in his work. About the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Established in 2010, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü - London is the Republic of Türkiye’s official cultural institute, promoting Turkish language and culture worldwide through more than 90 centres abroad. The Institute delivers a structured programme of cultural events, exhibitions, and Turkish language courses, supporting cultural engagement between Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Through its educational and cultural activities, the Institute provides access to Türkiye’s artistic heritage and contemporary cultural production, serving a wide and diverse audience. About The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts runs from 19 to 29 November 2026, bringing performances, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops to Cambridge's historic colleges, museums, and cultural spaces. Open to everyone, the festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of Islamic arts, and, fifty years on from the landmark 1976 World of Islam Festival, carries that spirit into our own time. Find out more at cfia.co.uk.