The Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh

Cinema China presented a unique insight into eight decades of Chinese film making. Launched at Edinburgh Castle with Maggie Cheung in attendance, a total of 26 classic movies were shown in venues across Scotland. The main programme at Edinburgh’s Filmhouse was supplemented by lectures, special events and an educational programme.

The origins of the Cinema China event stemmed from an agreement between the University of Edinburgh and the Beijing Film Academy. The support and commitment of individuals and organisations took the original concept and developed it into a much wider scale initiative, elements of which are now being delivered elsewhere in the UK.

Read the full story of Cinema China’s evolution and programme.

The Confucius Institute for Scotland hosted a China Quality Seminar for representatives of the Scottish Executive, SQA, QAA and the Chinese Ministry of Education.

The Institute and the Centre for Chinese Studies ran a China Cinema Workshop presented by Professor Paul Pickowicz from the University of California, San Diego. A viewing of Hongse xue (Red Snow, 2006 with English subtitles) was followed by a lecture on “Underground and Independent Filmmaking in China: Problems and Prospects”

The Confucius Institute for Scotland facilitated a visit from the Chinese Ministry of Education and educational representatives from Inner Mongolia, Chongqing, Xinjiang and Tibet

The first Chinese classes sponsored by the Confucius Institute for Scotland were offered at the Office of Life Long Learning in the University of Edinburgh.

Work began on the refurbishment of Abden House, a baronial mansion located at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, the famous extinct volcano in the city of Edinburgh.