Chinese Conversation & Culture Corner Sept-Dec 2012
Chinese Conversation Corners take place on Friday evenings from 5.30-7pm in the Autumn and Winter terms. Open to anyone who is learning Chinese or who has an interest in Chinese culture, each week there is a special theme.
This year our visiting teachers are planning a programme for Sept & Oct as shown below. November's CCCC programme will be added at the end of October.
Friday 2 November 2012 5.30-7.00pm
Have you been to China?
Have you been to China? Do you want to go to China? At the Chinese Conversation Corner this week, we will talk about all places of interest in China. So we will be very pleased for you to come and share some stories about your experiences in China. As well, for those who haven’t been to China it will be a great opportunity to learn about the 'must see' destinations in China. For holiday planning or simply dreaming of 'one day' come along and discover China
Friday 9 November 2012 5.30-7.00pm
Bejing Opera Masks
Beijing Opera is called “guocui”. It combines music, acrobatic dance, and spectacular costumes to tell stories from Chinese history and folklore. Using abstract, symbolic gestures rich in dramatic meaning, actors represent personages from the heroic, divine, and animal worlds, often in martial exploits. In this CCCC, we will introduce four famous Dan actors and types of Facial Make-up in Beijing Opera to you. Join us to learn more about Beijing Opera and a famous Beijing Opera song!
Friday 16 November 2012 5.30-7.00pm
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an integral part of Chinese culture. It has made great contributions to the prosperity and health of China. What are the Chinese philosophies behind TCM? What are the basic elements of TCM? What are some of the differences between TCM and Western medicine？Through this CCCC you’ll be able to see the long history and new trends of TCM, and make your own judgement.
Friday 23 November 2012 5.30-7.00pm
Wedding Customs - Chinese Style
Do you know how Chinese celebrate their "big day"? There are all kinds of do's and dont's in traditional Chinese wedding. The most famous is probably that some couples may not know whom he or she will marry before the wedding day. Apart from that, "red date" ,"peanut" ,"longan" and "melon seed" are four necessary elements in a wedding. Join us to discover these and other aspects of a Chinese wedding.
We'll also tell you some Chinese common sayings and what you need to take with you to attend a Chinese wedding. So you will be well prepared next time you are invited to a Chinese wedding!
Friday 28 Sept 2012
Moon Festival
5.30-7.00pm
The very first CCCC of the autumn term will take place on Friday 28 September with a focus on Moon Festival. The Moon Festival is probably the second most important festival for Chinese people. The Moon Festival this year falls on 30 September and hopefully, with clear skies, we will be able to enjoy the roundest, brightest moon of the year.
Join us for the first Chinese Culture & Conversation Corner of the autumn term when we will introduce Moon Festival stories, culture and songs to you. We will also invite you to enjoy Moon cake and tea with us.
Friday 5 October 2012
Have you eaten? - Chinese Food Culture
5.30-7.00pm
Chinese food culture has a long history. Food plays a very important role in Chinese people’s daily life. Chinese food can be divided into 8 styles of cuisines. People from different areas in China have very diverse food culture. In this CCCC, we will introduce Chinese culture through Chinese food. Join us for an evening with Chinese dishes, recipes and quiz.
Friday 12 October 2012
What would you like to drink? Chinese tea?
5.30-7.00pm
Have you tried Chinese tea before? How do you like it? Tea plays a very important role in Chinese people’s daily life and has a lot of cultural meaning embedded. Join us to enjoy a cup of tea and share your tea stories with us this week!
Friday 19 October 2012
The Sound of China-Chinese Music
5.30-7.00pm
In this CCCC event, we will introduce some traditional Chinese musical instruments and Chinese classical music to you. Do you know there are only 5 tones in Chinese traditional music (gong, shang, jue, zhi, yu)? Do you know what are these 5 tones relate to? We will play a couple of tunes “Gao Shan Liu Shui” “Yu Zhou Chang Wang” and you will have opportunity to try your hand at some traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Friday 26 October 2012
Chinese Clothing - through the ages and today
5.30-7.00pm
Join us on an historical and geographical journey as we touch on and consider the rich history of Chinese clothing from different dynasties and ethnic groups. As well as admiring the beauty of the cloth and the diverse patterns, we shall consider what is revealed culturally by the design of the garment. And why today, do Chinese stars choose to wear traditional costume to attend high profile events such as premieres? How strong are these cultural influences compared to more western fashion. What does the cultural clothing of China today reveal?