Family Corner With Hatching Dragons (part of the China in Context Festival)
China Exchange 32A Gerrard Street, London, United KingdomDrop-in to the free Family Corner to get crafty and learn some Mandarin with Hatching Dragons – the UK’s only bilingual nursery provider. The whole family can get involved in Chinese paper cutting and folding, get inspired by books in our storytelling corner, and be wowed by the shadow puppet play. You can make your own dragon puppets and Beijing Opera masks to take home, and your littlest ones can get creative with our playdough and bouncy ring. China in Context is organised by China Exchange and Cypress Books.
Remembering the Chinese Labour Corps: talk by Dr Frances Wood
China Exchange 32A Gerrard Street, London, United Kingdom140,000 men were recruited from China by Britain and France to serve during the First World War. Their contribution is yet to be recognised. In this free talk, Historian and SACU Vice President Dr Frances Wood will reveal the story of the Chinese Labour Corps, their invaluable contribution to the allied war effort, and why these men were written out of history. You will also hear more about a campaign which is raising funds for a permanent memorial to ensure the men are not forgotten. This talk is part of China Exchange’s support for the Ensuring We Remember campaign and follows their […]
Stories Told in Chinese Painting (part of the China in Context Festival)
China Exchange 32A Gerrard Street, London, United KingdomArtists around the world and across the ages have drawn on literature as inspiration, re-telling narratives through painting, calligraphy and objects. Chinese artistic tradition often integrates painting and calligraphy within the same surface, combining visual and verbal traditions of storytelling. Yet for those unfamiliar with China’s expansive literary traditions, the tales told in Chinese painting can be inaccessible. Join art expert Dr Malcolm McNeill, as he unpicks this complex tapestry of words and images. In this talk, Malcolm will help you ‘read’ Chinese art, introduce the most popular tales told in Chinese painting, and explore how visual narratives continue to contribute to […]
Write Like an Artist – Chinese Calligraphy Workshop (part of the China in Context Festival)
China Exchange 32A Gerrard Street, London, United KingdomIn Chinese, calligraphy is referred to as Shufa, literally: the Way of Writing. Ever since carving the first character into oracle bones over 3000 years ago, Chinese people have never ceased worked to perfect the art of writing. Today, calligraphy has developed into a complicated, yet beautiful system. Practising calligraphy is considered to be a way of cultivating one’s character. In this workshop award-winning art teacher Jianchu Xu will guide you through history and techniques, and introduce you to the beauty of, Chinese calligraphy. About the teacher: Mr. Jianchu Xu is chairman of Chinese Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Society in the […]
Yaji – An Elegant Gathering (part of the China in Context Festival)
China Exchange 32A Gerrard Street, London, United KingdomA yaji 雅集 is an “elegant gathering” – a group of creative individuals getting together to enjoy art and various kinds of performance. It was a popular custom among the literati in China’s Northern Song dynasty (960–1127). Drop in as we re-create this vibrant atmosphere in the 21st Century with a chance to explore this fascinating Chinese tradition through music, calligraphy, painting, tea culture and other artistic mediums. Admission is free but advance registration is necessary. The 2017 edition of this at China Exchange was one of the most popular events ever. Book your place now to avoid disappointment. The […]
Feast on Poetry – Free Writing Workshop (part of the China in Context Festival)
China Exchange 32A Gerrard Street, London, United KingdomWhet your appetite for culinary verse in this free poetry workshop focused on food. In a session with a two course menu, first savour a recital of culinary poetry with time to understand and appreciate selected poems with poet, Jennifer Wong before cooking up your own food-inspired poems. No writing experience is necessary. The workshop is free and open to all but places are limited. Reserve yours now! About the workshop leader, Jennifer Wong: A Hong Kong native, Jennifer writes and teaches poetry. Her book, Goldfish (Chameleon Press) is a reflection on the myths, rituals and superstitions she grew up with. She […]
John Gittings talk on “China Watching” During the GPCR
College Buildings, Russell Square Campus, SOAS Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square,, London, United KingdomLong-time SACU member John Gittings will give a talk on “China Watching” during the GPCR (Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution) at SOAS on Monday 9 April at 5.00 pm. John Gittings is former Guardian East Asia Editor whose first trip to China was in 1971 with a SACU delegation. He spoke at our 50th Anniversary symposium on his memories of the early China tours he took with SACU. Venue: Room G3, College Buildings. Russell Square Campus, SOAS University of London This rescheduled talk is free and open to the public. No registration is required but admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. […]
SACU’s Early Days: SACU Members Spring Social – Free Event
King's College London, Strand Campus Strand, London, United Kingdom- SACU ChinaCafe 2018 Series - This is an opportunity for SACU members, OLD AND NEW, to get to know one another and learn about SACU's early days from an informal slideshow followed by a trip to the bar for a drink or two! SACU was founded in 1965 by Joseph Needham and others and in those days one of the very few ways that people from Britain could visit China was to join a SACU organised tour. The 1971 Tour was documented by Richard and Sally Greenhill, professional photographers, and we are delighted that Sally has agreed to come […]
Gallery Tour for members of SACU and The Meridian Society at the Brunei Gallery
Brunei Gallery, SOAS Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, United KingdomA private gallery tour for Meridian Society and SACU members at the exhibition of China and Siam: Through the Lens of John Thomson. This will be a free, private tour for the first 20 members of The Meridian Society and SACU who apply and will be conducted by Betty Yao MBE. Booking is essential through The Meridian Society themeridiansociety@gmail.com This is the first London exhibition of Scottish photographer John Thomson’s (1837-1921) work which encompasses his ten years in Asia. The exhibition will run from 13th April to 23nd June and includes images from newly discovered glass negatives held at the Wellcome Library, […]
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Connecting the World – SACU Panel Discussion in Manchester
Samuel Alexander Lecture Theatre, Samuel Alexander Building, University of Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester, United KingdomFree SACU Panel Discussion: China's Belt and Road Initiative: Connecting the World China's Belt and Road Initiative: Connecting the World China’s Belt and Road Initiative - or China's 21st Century Silk Road - has been hailed as “the greatest economic development project ever undertaken”, of huge significance in redefining China’s place in the world through a different kind of globalisation. It opens a new meeting ground for diverse civilisations and, by reawakening the Eurasian super-continent, it may lead to a fundamental rebalancing of the global landscape dominated by Atlanticism. A panel of experts will discuss the economic, intercultural and geopolitical […]