The Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh

A special session entitled `The China Mandate-New Chalk on an old Blackboard` will take place at the Wellcome West Rooms, Royal Society of Edinburgh, George Street, Edinburgh. Chaired by Dr Gari Donn of the University of Edinburgh the session will consider the following points

Did American research at MIT, funded by Rockefeller persuade the Chinese to adopt a one-child policy?

What do the modern Chinese balinghou, the children from one-child families, think of China today?

What mandate can the young generation give the Chinese Communist Party for a civic society?

Can Taiwan, not the West, provide a possible solution?

Are there lessons for all of us as we tackle over-population against a backdrop of dwindling global resources and failing democratic and economic systems?

This evening presents the opportunity to catch up with the latest work by the authors of `China Calling: a foot in the global door` who some years back noted taht China was opening doors with `hoards of credit and cash`. Their second book `China Counting: how the West was lost` was recommended by Lord Robertson, ex Nato Secretary General as ‘readable, authoritative and a fascinating account of a force in the world which cannot be ignored’.

The session runs from 6pm-8pm. Admission is free, all are welcome but pre-booking is requested by email to am.mnas.com@gmail.com

To mark the opening of the COnfucius Institute in the University of Glasgow a special exhibition of art works by Fan Zeng, one of China’s most famous artists, whose traditional ‘splashed ink’ and figure drawings are hugely popular in China will run in the Kelvin Gallery of the Hunterian Museum for six weeks.

The Kelvin Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm

Kelvin Gallery
Gilbert Scott Building
University of Glasgow
Glasgow
G12 8QQ

Chinese music through the centuries

To futher mark the launch of the Confucius Institute at the University of Glasgow, Harmony Chinese Music Ensemble will appear at the Kelvin Gallery, Hunterian Museum on Sunday 6 November from 2pm-3.30pm playing a selection of Chinese songs and instrumental music. Ranging from songs based on poems from the Han, Tang and Song dynasties to contemporary compositions from the versatile composer and folk musician, Eddie McGuire and a world-premiere piece from award-winning Malaysian composer Valerie Ross entry to the museum and the concert is free and no booking is required.

Musicians:

Fong Liu - voice
KimHo Ip - yangqin (Chinese dulcimer)
Willem Mathlener - violin
Eddie McGuire - dizi (Chinese flute)
Hooi Ling Eng - zheng (Chinese zither) and percussion

Sunday 6 November 2011, 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Kelvin Gallery, Hunterian Museum
University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8Q

Book now for one of the three unique musical fusion evenings with Emma Smith and the Silk String Quartert in early November.

Emma Smith, Scottish double bass player, a regular with Eliza Carthy`s band and Gorillaz, to name but two, will join with Silk String Quartet on of Europe’s best professional Chinese music ensembles for classical and contemporary music. Performing on traditional Chinese instruments – the pipa, yangqin, erhu and guzheng – they have performed with collaborators including Lang Lang and Damon Albarn.

Kimho Ip, musical curator at the Confucius Institute for Scotland will join the ensemble playing the Yang Qin.

The China Project explores the blend of Scottish and Chinese musical cultures. Including music by Mo Fan and Lau, the concert also features a new commission by renowned Scottish composer Jim Sutherland. This is a rare opportunity to hear these captivating instruments both in their own musical world and delving into a radical new one, where western and eastern instruments form a wholly new ensemble.

Thu 3 Nov 2011, 7.30pm Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
£12/£10 concession/£5 under 18 - Friends £2 discount.
www.eden-court.co.uk Tel 01463 234234

Fri 4 Nov 2011, 7.30pm The Bongo Club, Edinburgh
£10/£8 concession/£5 students.
Tickets on the door or from www.bongoclub.co.uk Over 18`s only

Sat 5 Nov 2011, 7.30pm Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh
£13.75/£11.75 concession
www.bruntontheatre.co.uk TelL 0131 665 2240

The Glasgow branch of the Scotland China Association holds regular talks on the last Tuesday of each month in Garnethill Multicultural Centre, 21 Rose Street, Garnethill, Glasgow, G3 6RE. Talks begin at 7.30pm promptly with tea & biscuits available from 7.15pm. Events are free to members and £1.50 (£1.00) to non-members.

27 Sept 2011: Dr David Vernon - The Friendship Centre at Dengke, Sichuan. This centre lcoated in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Region aims to improve the lives of local people by providing help on issues such as healthcare, environment, education and economic development. David will update attendees on his recent trip to the Centre and the work following on from the 2010 earthquake

25 Oct 2011: Yan Wang - `Aspects of Chinese Art` Ms Wang is a contemporary artist who came to Glasgow School of Art from Beijing`s Central Academy of Fine Art. She will talk on art exchanges and Chinese art forms. Her own work uses various traditional Chinese techniques and influences including folk art, brush painting and calligraphy.

29 Nov 2011: Wendy Kershaw on her recent residencies in China. In 2006 Wendy had a residence at the renowned porcelain centre of Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province and in 2008 she was based at FuLe International Ceramic Art Museum in Fuping, Shaanxi province.

13 Dec 2011 : Hot Pot Dinner - full details to group members via Yahoo updates with details also posted on the SCA website.

31 Jan 2012: Dr Barbara Kaulbach - `The Chinese Concept of Hell`. Director of the Goethe Institut Glasgow, Dr Kaulbach is an expert on Peking Opera and Chinese folk beliefs.

Please note all date are subject to confirmation so check for latest information on the SCA website.