The Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh

Drop into the David Hume Tower basement on Friday 10 Feb 2012 for the 1430 showing of Red Sorghum (Zhang Yimou, 1988)

Set in 1930s China a young woman is sent by her father to marry the leprous owner of a winery. In the nearby red sorghum fields she falls for one of his servants. When the master dies she finds herself inheriting the isolated business which she runs as a quasi-matriachal community. The setting, cinematography and imagery create memorable characters in a dramatic anti-war film which presents a portrait of pre-communist Chinese life.

Full reviews from IMDB and from New York Times.

All films are shown at 2pm in the Language and Humanities Centre, in the basement of the David Hume Tower, George Square, Edinburgh. The films are sub-titled and wide-ranging. Students of Chinese will find this a great way to tune the ear and improve language skills while film-buffs or Sinophiles will enjoy the wide choice of movies on offer. No prior booking is necessary and admission is free

Merchiston Hall, Watson Crescent, Polwarth is the venue for this Year of the Dragon Ceilidh organised by the Edinburgh Chinese Association of Professionals and the Edinburgh Branch of the Scotland China Association. Master of Ceremonies Andy Cook with David Sturgeon on the accordion will ensure the music has everyone up and dancing. Tickets are only £6 on door inclusive of soft drinks and snacks. Start time 7.30pm

George Square Theatre on Saturday 4 Feb is the venue for the ECSSA Gala Show marking Chinese New Year and the forthcoming Lantern Festival. The show which starts at 7pm will feature a variety of entertainment such as dance, music, singing and cross-talk to name a few.

Tickets for the show which are selling fast are priced at only £6.00 are available from the Confucius Institute for Scotland reception. Cash or cheque only please!

Edinburgh Zoo will be the venue for this evening talk by Professor Natascha Gentz, Director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland and Chair of Chinese in the University of Edinburgh. This is part of the the programme of special events at the Zoo organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland to mark Chinese New Year.

Understanding Chinese Media` Monday 6th February 7pm

Chinese media are in the headlines in the West often because of instances of censorship, the shutting down of media outlets, or even detention of journalists in the PRC. While such actions can neither be denied nor ignored, China’s media landscape has fundamentally changed over the past decades. New technologies, commercialism and a broader variety of communication channels have had a huge impact on transforming the media into more open and accessible sources of information. At the same time, there is more consensus about the necessity to control media in China within society than many Western observers would expect or want to believe. The talk will address the tension between liberalisation and continuous control, and try to explain different approaches to media policies in China not only from a political but also an historical perspective. Rather than taking a judgemental position on whether Chinese media are managed well or badly, the talks aims to explore why perspectives and understandings of the role of media in society might differ, and where these different understandings might have their roots.

This talks will take place in Edinburgh Zoo Education Centre from 7pm. Audience members can enter the Zoo from 6.45pm via the members gate located at the top of the Zoo car park.

Edinburgh Zoo will be the venue for this evening talk Dr Felix Boeking from the University of Edinburgh which is as part of the programme of special events at the Zoo organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland to mark Chinese New Year.

Understanding China`s Economic Transformation` Thursday 2nd Feb 7pm

Dr Boeking, whose speciality is Modern Chinese Economic and Political History will give a talk entitled `Understanding China`s Economic Transformation`.
Focus of Talk
In the last three decades, the People’s Republic of China has experienced a successful market transition with impressively high GDP growth rates. As average incomes have risen dramatically, hundreds of millions of Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty. Equally important is China’s new position as a key player in today’s world economy. However, the increased social inequality and environmental depredation associated with economic reforms in the PRC raise the question of their sustainability. In this talk, Dr Boecking will trace some of the key features of China’s economic development since 1978, and consider the question of China’s economic future.

This talk will take place on Thursday 2nd February from 7pm-8pm in the Education Centre. Attendees are invited to enter the Zoo via the members gate located at the top of the Zoo car park then follow staff directions and walk to the Education Centre. The gate will be open from 6.45