The Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh

On Friday 22 October the Scottish International Storytelling Festival will feature a unique evening of story, music, movement and song inspired by Scotland`s landscapes. Though the focus is on Scotland the music bringing these landscapes to life will come from a cross-cultural mix of artists: Marion Kenny & John Kenny, Kimho Ip & Ramesh Meyyappan, and Jean Edmiston & Rosina Bonsu. Kimho is the Institute`s musical curator.

Taking place in the Netherbow Theatre at Edinburgh`s Storytelling Centre located on the High Street just beside John Knox House the programme runs from 7pm-8.45pm. Tickets are priced at £10 (£8) and the performance is suitable for adults.

Tickets are now only available by phoning 0131 556 9579.

Book now to secure a free ticket for a cultural evening with Ming Hwa Yuan, the most exciting traditional opera-dance theatre from Taiwan. Brought to Edinburgh by the University of Edinburgh and the Taipei Representative Office in the UK(Edinburgh Office) among others, this will be an extraordinary cultural evening.

Two performances ‘General of the Empire’ and ‘Lovebird Spears’ are presented in full stage setting and costume promising the combined splendour of music, theatre, martial arts, dancing and traditional art form.

First performance:General of the Empire

Using the battle scene of two armies in combat as its framework, the play presents both the acting prowess of Gezaixi (Taiwanese Opera) performers, with their operatic singing, as well as their physical mastery of traditional stage action sequences.

Ancient warfare in China involves mainly castle sieges that see the use of long ladders in penetrating the high-defensive walls. The concept behind the action sequences revolves around the use of these ladders, which are also used as weapons in close quarters combat. The performance is a showcase of action sequences from Chinese Martial Arts and traditional opera.

Second performance:Lovebird Spears
Once upon a time, there was a teahouse run by a mother daughter team, Widow Fang and her beautiful daughter Yuying. The teahouse, inherited from the deceased Master Fang was their only livelihood. Apart from the teahouse, Yuying also inherited a pair of lovebird spears. The spears were a token of love used by Master Fang when he was courting Widow Fang. In her martial arts training with Master Fang, Yuying was especially skilled in the spears. Before his death, Master Fang sent out a message that states: “Whoever can defeat YuYing in a match by using the spears would also win her hand in marriage.”
A large crowd turns up on the day of the competition, as everyone is eager to witness the beautiful Yuying. Amongst the suitors are four playboys from distinguished families in the city. The four want to try their luck in winning the hands of the famous teahouse maiden. Unfortunately for these unlikely candidates, they are defeated and sent packing by Yuying.

By chance, Emperor Li Chen happened to be patrolling the area disguised as a commoner. When the emperor passes the teahouse as the competition is commencing, he and Yuying are immediately attracted to each other. The sparring match between the two is no longer a contest of skill, as neither is concentrating on winning the competition. Widow Fang sees the whole incident and strongly approves Yuying`s choice to let this handsome stranger win the match.


Both performances will take place in George Square Lecture Theatre on Wednesday 20 October 2010 from 5pm-7pm.

To reserve a seat please email taiwan.art.event@gmail.com

For more information please visit the company website.

Please click here to view a PDF about the group and the two performances to be given

This performance is generously supported by the Taipei Representative Office in The UK (Edinburgh Office), Edinburgh Taiwanese Students Society, Matisse Scotch Whisky and Easy Way Pearl Milk Tea.

The Glasgow branch of Scotland China Association will begin its 2010-2011 programme on Tuesday 28th September. The first talk in the autumn series will be given by Frances Christensen of the Confucius Institute for Scotland covering the history, roles and services of the Institute along with future plans.

The talk takes place at Garnethill Multicultural Centre, 21 Rose St, Glasgow G3 6RE on Tuesday 28th September 7.30pm.

Attendance to the talk is free, but places are limited. Priorities are given to members of CBBC and SCA. There will be a networking drink afterwards at the Waxy O’Connor’s bar (44 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1DH) for which a £5 contribution towards drink & snacks is collected on the night.

For further information about Scotland China Association please visit their website at www.scotchina.org

The final film showing of the summer for the Burrell`s China Season 2010, will take place on Sunday 12th Sept at 2pm in the Lecture Theatre at the Burrell.

`Spring in a Small Town` (1948, 85 min) depicts the love triangle of Yuwen, her ailing husband Dai Liyan, and doctor Zhang Zhichen in a small war-torn town in the South of Yangtze River after WWII. Between Yuwen and Liyan, there is only duty and concern, but no love, as they silently and politely pass the days in the ruined manor that hints of the Dai family`s previous wealth and prestige. Their monotonous lives are suddenly changed by the arrival of Liyan`s friend and Yuwen`s former love Zhichen….

In 2005, a panel of 101 filmmakers and scholars cast their votes to select the Best 100 Chinese Motion Pictures of all time. The film that topped the list was Fei Mu`s 1948 classic melodrama `Spring in a Small Town`. Fei Mu was a pioneering figure of the Chinese film industry during the 1930s and 40s with films like Song of China (1935) and Remorse at Death (1948), China`s first colour film.

Back by popular demand, Harmony Chinese Music Ensemble, will once again give a concert in the atmospheric Canongate Kirk on Edinburgh`s Royal Mile.

With a number of recently composed pieces plus special arrangements of folk and modern songs this year`s Fringe Festival performance should prove as popular as in previous years. Enjoy this Chinese music display - traditional, new and improvised, with the fascinating voice of Fong Liu. Full array of percussion, bamboo flute, ruan (moon guitar), zheng (plucked zither), yangqin (hammered dulcimer) and fiddle.

Tickets: £10 (£6)
Date: Saturday 28 August 2010
Start time: 7.30pmwww.edfringe.com
Tickets are available on from www.edfringe.com or can be bought on the door.