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Asia Focus Day for Senior School Students 3 Oct 2017

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RSAA logoThe Royal Society for Asian Affairs is working with the support of the Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh, and with backing from the Scottish Government, to offer a free day long Asia focused programme for senior school students on Tuesday 3 October 2017. 

Schools across Scotland are invited to register their interest in sending or bringing S4, S5 and S6 students to discover more about Asia as they move towards planning their longer term future. Travel bursaries are available to low-income schools and students.

South Hall

The aim is to introduce students to subjects and concepts they may not have previously explored and which will, we hope, inspire them. The conference is open to all in the 15-18 age-group. Those interested in pursuing geography, law, religion, international affairs, social sciences or Asian language pathways may find it particularly relevant.

This is the second such event in Scotland, building on the inaugural event in October 2015.  It will be held at the South Hall complex- pictured above- in Pollock Halls, University of Edinburgh.

PROGRAMME OUTLINE SCHOOLS DAY 3 OCTOBER 2017 10.00-15.00

Currently confirmed speakers for this full day programme are:-

  • Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP, Scottish Minister for International Development
  • James Brodie, Scotland Manager, China Britain Business Council
  • Mr Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul-General of Japan in Edinburgh
  • Ms Sophie Ibbotson, Adventurer, Travel Writer, and Entrepreneur
  • Dr Claire Watson, Research Fellow in Primatology, Kyoto University, Japan
  • All attendees will have the chance to take part in a introductory language session choosing from Chinese, Hindi or Japanese.

Refreshments and lunch are included.
Travel bursaries are available to low-income schools and students.

To enquire or register interest on behalf of your school please take one of the following actions
Email: Shaun McPhee shaunmcphee@rsaa.org.uk
Call  :  Shaun McPhee Mobile  07913 34 66 11
Visit:    Royal Society of Asian Affairs Lectures & Events page.

From Shanghai with Love: Fashion Show/Exhibition 24-25.08

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After the sold-out success of 2017, Donghua Edinburgh Centre for Creative Industries is set to return Edinburgh Fringe this year. Join us in the stunning Playfair Library on either Friday 24th or Saturday 25th August for this combined exhibition and fashion show.  Discover elegant, enduring and electrifying Qipao fashion, Shanghai Style, through the ages and into the future.

Our exhibition features Shanghai style Qipao from 1910s-1930s – when Shanghai was known as the Paris of the east. Our runway will feature contemporary and futuristic Qipao designs using the latest high tech materials and techniques, combining tradition with modernity.

There are only two opportunities to attend this event and exhibition  Friday 24 August: 18.00 doors open 17.30 and Saturday 25 August 16.00 doors open 15.30. Tickets for Friday are almost gone! There are still tickets left for Saturday. Book yours now to avoid disappointment!

Visit our microsite here for more details here.

If you missed the show last year, here is a short video that was taken on the opening day, enjoy!

Playfair LibraryVenue

The venue for this unique event is the stunning Playfair Library. Doors will open 30 minutes before each show’s start time to allow viewing of the exhibition – or to try to secure front row seats!

A glass of fizz or a soft drink is included in the ticket price of only £8/£6.  Audience members can view the exhibition both before and after the fashion show.

Bookings via the Fringe Box Office
Fringe Venue No 311:
Playfair Library, Old College Quad, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

Qipao: a widely worn one piece Chinese item of clothing featuring a mandarin collar. Origins of this  item are widely disputed by academics but today most people recognise Qipao as based on the stylish and often tight fitting dress created in the 1920’s in Shanghai.

Liu Zhenyun: Book Festival and Filmhouse 12 & 13 Aug 2017

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One of China’s foremost novelists, Liu Zhenyun, winner of the Mao Dun prize for Chinese fiction, will make two appearances in Edinburgh this August.

I did not kill my husbandThe first opportunity to hear from him is on the opening day of the Edinburgh International Book Festival 12th August at 12.15. Liu Zhenyun’s work reflects on aspects of China’s newly urbanised culture and his politically aware, satirical and darkly humourous writings have ensured his novels are widely translated. In an hour long conversation with Jenny Niven, Head of Literature, Creative Scotland, his latest novel ‘I Did Not Kill My Husband’  will be considered along with the tumultuous times in which we live.

For a different slant on this comic critique of the country’s one child policy, head to the Filmhouse  to see a screening of the film of the book .On Sunday 13th August the early evening showing of the film, entitled ‘I Am Not Madame Bovary’  will be followed by a Q&A with Liu Zhenyun. To watch a short film clip here:

我不是潘金莲预告片 from CAHSS Webteam on Vimeo.

Bookings

The Book Festival programme is now available to book. For tickets for Liu Zhenyun at Sat 12th Aug at 12.15 please click here.

To book tickets for the special screening and Q&A session at the Filmhouse please book via the Filmhouse Box Office.

Biography

Liu ZhenyunLiu Zhenyun was born in 1958 in Henan province. In 1973 he joined the People’s Liberation Army and spent five years in the Gobi desert. After graduating from Peking University where he first published work in campus journals, he himself suggests that his writing career really only started after he became a journalist. Novels and short stories which have been translated into English (and numerous other languages) include Tapu Township; Chicken Feathers Everywhere; Working Unit; Cell Phone; The Cook, the Crook and the Tycoon and most recently I Did Not Kill My Husband

Kunqu Opera performance10 June 2pm

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The Scotland China Association which is now entering its 51st year is holding its AGM at Abden House on the morning of Saturday 10th June.

After the member’s lunch there will be a short performance of Kunqu Opera by Yanmei Wu, who is the co-founder of the Chinese Opera Association Scotland, will perform a short excerpt from the Peony Pavilion.

Kunqu – a Chinese musical theatre form that has been performed for over 600 years. Mu dan ting – The Peony Pavilion – was written in 1598 by the most renowned kunqu playwright Tang Xianzu.

kunqu EICC

Contemporary Chinese Fashion: 14 June 6pm

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Dr Vera Bai is a graduate from Hong Kong Polytechnic University where she achieved her MA and PhD in the Institute of Textiles and Clothing.  She is a lecturer in fashion design in Shanghai International College of Fashion, Donghua University.  Prior to joining one of China’s leading Fashion Colleges, she worked in the Hong Kong fashion industry for two years before researching this topic.   She is a member of the the Textile Institute (UK).

vera baiDr Bai enjoys working in cross-disciplinary way combining fashion design, textile design, wearable electronics and interactive design.  Her work is part of the permanent collection in the China Silk Museum

Her talk which is entitled ‘Contemporary Chinese Fashion Designers & Their Design Philosophy’ will take place in the Project Room, 50 George Square, EH8 9LH on Wednesday 14 June from 6pm.  The talk will be followed by a Q&A and a networking drinks reception.

Please follow this link to reserve your seat.

Third Annual CPD Conference: Teaching Chinese in Scotland: 02 June 17

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The Third Annual CPD Conference on Chinese Teaching in Scotland: Teaching and Learning is a free one-day event for all who are involved or interested in the teaching of Chinese. Taking place on Friday 2 June 2017 at 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh, this event is jointly organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland and Asian Studies of the University of Edinburgh.

This conference combines plenary sessions and a number of parallel workshops. You can download or view the Conference Programme here.

Yuu can book your place for this free day long event which is inclusive of catering via this booking link.

Some highlights of the day are listed below.

  • (plenary) Mandarin on the curriculum – challenges and opportunities
  • (plenary) Same or different? The role of comparison in Chinese language teaching
  • (plenary) Beyond language: teaching Chinese culture
  • Understanding Standards – SQA Advanced Higher
  • Effective methods to help students learn Chinese characters
  • Designing Chinese language courses: some practical strategies
  • A crash class on Chinese folk dance
  • Sustainable Teaching of Chinese in Secondary Schools
  • Breathing life and creativity into Chinese learning
  • (interactive plenary) Learners’ perspective – views from the students

The plenary sessions and workshops will be led by experienced teachers and senior staff from a number of Scottish and English schools, Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS, University of London) and University of Edinburgh.

In the interactive session, student representatives from a few Scottish schools, SOAS and University of Edinburgh will share with the audience their experience and achievements in learning Chinese and offer insights from the learners’ perspective.

The conference will run from 9:30am to 4.30pm on Friday 2 June 2017, with registration starting at 8:45am and networking opportunities from 4:30pm.  Booking is now open. Please click here to book your place.

Please also feel free to pass the information on to anyone who may be interested in this event.  In the meantime, if you have any query, please contact Dr Zhu Zhu, Chinese Language Programme Director, Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh, at zhu.zhu@ed.ac.uk or the Confucius Institute for Scotland at info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Dialogue with Emperor Qin’s Warriors: 3-30 June Summerhall

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Dialogue with Emperor Qin's WarriorsA stunning exhibition of 31 contemporary sculptures from Europe and China is on its way to Edinburgh. From 3-30 June 2017, Dialogue with Emperor Qin’s Warriors will be on display in Summerhall’s Church

Galleries in Hope Park Terrace. A few of the larger sculptures will be found around Summerhall with four sculptures in residence at Edinburgh Zoo.

Please visit our microsite for more information including images of all 31 sculptures.

The concept of ‘culture’ : Basile Zimmerman 01 June 6pm

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Culture is famous in social sciences and humanities for the difficulty of its definition. This presentation will discuss the various usages of the word “culture” since the 19th century, the solutions that have been suggested up to now, and the impact that this situation had on the development of area studies.

Basile Zimmermann

In this lecture entitled The concept of ‘culture’ and its quotation marks: Learning from electronic music practice in China Prof Basile Zimmermann will review a case study on electronic music in China from the book Waves and Forms (MIT Press, 2015) to illustrate how science and technology studies frameworks can be used to address the concerns of Chinese studies.

Basile Zimmermann is Assistant Professor in Chinese studies and Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. His current research projects focus on China studies methodology and science and technology studies. He is the author of Waves and Forms: Electronic Music Devices and Computer Encodings in China (MIT Press, Inside Technology, 2015).
This event will take place in the Project Room, 50 George Square on Thursday 1st June 2017 from 6pm. Following on from the talk and Q&A, a networking drinks reception will take place.  Please reserve your seat via this Eventbrite link.

Chinese Bridge Winners – Congratulations!

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Despite pressure of end of year exams, four intrepid undergraduate Chinese Studies students from the University of Edinburgh opted to take part in the 2017  Chinese Bridge language proficiency competition. Not only did all four reach the final – one second year student won first prize!

In the face of strong competition from 28 contestants from other UK universities, the support team for the competitors from the University of Edinburgh were delighted when each of them secured a place in the final. While the Grand Prize was awarded to a candidate from the University of Sheffield, warmest congratulations must go to Christopher McNulty (second year Chinese and French) who took First Prize which means he will go to Beijing to compete in the Global Final this summer.

The other three finalists from Edinburgh were also awarded specific prizes. Third prize overall was awarded to Olivia Contini (fourth year Chinese) with Jozette Allan (fourth year Economics and Chinese) receiving the Best Creative Award and  William Mitchell (fourth year Chinese and French) receiving the Best Talent and Performance Award.

Senior Teaching Fellow Dr Zhu Zhu who encouraged the students to take part in the competition, congratulated all the Edinburgh finalists and thanked them for all their hard work in preparing for the competition.

Asia Unbound-Lord Powell9 May 6pm-New Club

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We are delighted to welcome back Lord Powell of Bayswater as a speaker in our 2017 business lecture series. Lord Powell first spoke at our Institute in 2013 and we know him to be a most  interesting and insightful speaker.

Lord Powell will speak on the subject of ‘Asia Unbound:Britain and China in a dramatically changing global landscape’ discussing the broader implications for both countries of Brexit, the Trump presidency, rising populism and growing threats to peace and security in Asia.

LORD POWELL OF BAYsWATER KCMG

Lord PowellLord Powell was the No 10 Downing Street adviser on foreign affairs and defence to Margaret Thatcher when she was Prime Minister and continued in the same role for John Major in the early part of his time as Prime Minister . Since then he has pursued a career in international business serving on the boards of several major companies , has played a leading part in many public institutions and sits as a non-party member of the House of Lords . He has had a close association with China since visiting the country with Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s and subsequently with other British Prime Ministers and serving for many years as President of the China- Britain Business Council.

DATE: Tuesday 9 May 2017
TIME:  6pm with registration from 5.30pm
VENUE: The Long Room, Third Floor, New Club, 86 Princes Street, EH2 2BB
RECEPTION: A short networking drinks reception will take place after the talk.
DRESS CODE: Please note there is a strict dress code- Jacket and tie for men, and no Jeans or Trainers for anyone.

Booking is essential. Please register here.

Shanghai Story: Traditions and Modernity: 26 April 2pm

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Join us on Wed 26th April at 2pm when we host a high profile cultural delegation from Shanghai who will present two very different aspects of Chinese culture.

Our first speaker, Shi Dawai will consider the tradition and evolution of Chinese painting arts over the centuries and the vision for its future development.

Our second speaker Wang Liping will reflect on societal norms exemplified today by young Chinese people to modern life, conflicts of ideas and concepts, passion and love – topics which form the basis of a prize-winning TV series she has written.

Biographies

Shi DawaiCurrent President of Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy and former president of the China Arts Museum, Mr Shi Dawai is one of the most important masters of Chinese painting in Shanghai. In addition to his many cultural posts such as vice Chair of the China Artist Association and chairmanship of Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles, he is also a member of the CPPCC (the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference) National Committee.

Wang LipingMme. Wang Liping is a member of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee and a playwright of the Shanghai Film Group. She is also a hugely successful and prolific screenwriter who over the last two decades has developed some of the most popular series on Chinese TV, winning awards both at home and abroad.  She also holds a number of high level posts in the industry including VIce President of the Shanghai Television Art Association.

Programme for the Afternoon- please note this event will be in Chinese with translation

13.30: Registration over tea & coffee
14.00: Welcome and opening remarks
14.15: The Traditions and Innovations of the Chinese Painting Art from Mr Shi Dawei
14.35: The Love of the Young Chinese in TV Series from Mme Wang Liping
15.00: Q & A session
15.30: Programme Ends
This visit has been organised by the Foreign Affairs Division of the General Office of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee.

Venue:  St Leonard’s Hall, Pollock Halls, 18 Holyrood Park Road, EH16 5AY

If you would like to attend please book via this link.

From Shore to Shore, Saigon Saigon, 8 June 7pm

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Three stories, three lives, three journeys to find a place to call home.  Join us for the Edinburgh leg of this nationwide site specific touring programme.

Cheung Wing is escaping from war, Mei Lan’s had enough of the potato peeler and Yi Di wants the impossible; her parents’ approval.

Award-winning writer, Mary Cooper, with multilingual collaborator, M.W. Sun, draws on real life stories from Chinese interviewees living in the UK to create a powerful new drama of love and loss, struggle and survival, performed alongside live music and great food.

Staged in Saigon Saigon restaurant, and accompanied a Chinese meal, From Shore to Shore features a cast of seven actor-musicians, and blends English, Mandarin and Cantonese to tell the stories of Chinese communities in the UK today.

The ticket price includes a selection of Chinese foods, rice and tea.

From Shore to Shore is presented by On The Wire in partnership with the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, The Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh, and Saigon, Saigon restaurant.

Saigon SaigonThe ticket price includes soup, an array of Chinese food, rice and tea.  Please specify meat or vegetarian when booking.

Tickets are priced at £22.50/£17.50 and can be booked via the Traverse Theatre box office – or call 0131 228 1404.

Please speak to box office staff prior to booking if you have accessibility needs. 

How is Social Media Changing China? Prof Zhang 6 April 6pm

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In this talk, Prof Lifen Zhang currently based in the School of Journalism, Fudan University and Chief Advisor for China Business News, will consider the question ‘How is Social Media Changing China? This respected journalist, author and broadcaster will explain why, in his view, social media, the national obsession and blessing, presents a dilemma to the government and the state of journalism in China.

lifen

How Is Social Media Changing China?

China is emerging, unexpectedly, as a giant of social media in the world, rewriting human communication history. The Internet has reconfigured the way its people connect to each other and also how the nation is governed. The entire Chinese rural population has skipped fix-line telephony and operates only via mobile.

China is now sitting at the global top table in terms of social media innovation and usage. For instance Wechat (Wei Xin in Chinese), a social media platform developed by Tencent, one of the world’s leading internet conglomerates, is arguably China’s uniquely rare technological contribution to the world in modern history. In major cities people  now increasingly go about their daily life without cash, all through Wechat, for shopping, taxi, banking, restaurants, utility bills, tickets donations, “buying” all sorts of services.

However, the booming of social media in China also calls for a reality-check with contradictions about its regulatory regime and information control. In many ways the internet in China resembles a gigantic intranet and is far from free.  Social media, the national obsession and blessing, presents a dilemma to the government and the state of journalism in China.

lifenProf Zhang while currently a professor in the School of Journalism at Fudan University, also serves as the Chief Advisor for China Business News (CBN), the largest business media group in China. Previously  associate editor of the Financial Times, he served, from 2004-2015, as the founding editor of FTChinese.com, the FT’s award-winning Chinese language business online publication.

Before joining the FT, Lifen worked for the BBC for 10 years during which time he held various roles: assistant producer for BBC TV;  producer; senior producer; senior trainer in journalism & production; and news & current affairs editor at the BBC World Service.

He obtained his BA degree in journalism from Fudan University in Shanghai following which he was a research-teaching assistant. As the recipient of the prestigious SBFSS scholarship (Sino-British Friendship Scholarship Scheme), he received his PhD in Communications (media sociology) from the University of Leicester. He has been a visiting professor at the National Chengchi University in Taipei, the Baptist University in Hong Kong, the University of Hong Kong as well as Shanghai’s Fudan University.

He has received various international media awards including Asia’s SOPA journalism award, the BBC Onassis Bursary, as well as the State Street Award for Outstanding Contributions in Institutional Journalism. He is also a media leader at the World Economic Forum.

Key Information

Date of talk: Thursday 6 April 2017
Time of talk: 6pm-7pm followed by Q&A and networking reception
Venue:  Seminar Room LG.09, lower ground floor, David Hume Tower

Booking is required – please book via this link.

Chinese Silent Films, Bo’ness Hippodrome: 23 & 25 March

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For the second year our Institute is supporting Hippfest – Scotland’s only festival hippodromeIntdedicated to silent cinema with world-class music, red carpet glamour, and rarely-seen silent era films. Taking place in the retro surroundings of the Hippodrome, Bo’ness, the programme running on the afternoon of Thursday 23rd March focuses exclusively on China. Additionally, on Saturday 25th at 4.30pm, there will be a showing of The Goddess – a masterpiece of social realism.

Read on for more details or download the full programme for the Hippodrome Silent Film Festival 2017.

Thursday 23 March 2017: **Double Bill Offer**
Women in Chinese Silent Cinema 2pm-3.15pm

paul pickowiczIn this talk with screenings Prof. Paul Pickowicz will explore the golden age of Chinese silent cinema. The legendary actresses of the early Chinese film world dominated the silver screens of Shanghai and captivated the imaginations of the rapidly growing urban film audiences.

 

women

Accompanying the screenings selected by Paul will be Forrester Pyke, one of the most highly respected silent film accompanists in Scotland.

Around China with a Movie camera’ 4pm-5.10pm

Around ChinaThis will be followed at 4pm with the first Scottish showing of ‘Around China with a Movie Camera’ from the British FIlm Archive. Featuring rare and beautiful travelogues, newsreels and home movies viewers are taken on a journey through time and across China. See Shanghai’s bustling, cosmopolitan Nanjing Road in 1900, and a day at the Shanghai races in 1937. Cruise Hangzhou’s picturesque canals and visit China’s remote villages in Hunan and Yunnan provinces. Made by British and French filmmakers – from professionals to intrepid tourists, colonial-era expatriates and missionaries – this programme explores fifty years of Chinese history and includes possibly the oldest surviving film to be shot in China, unseen for over 115 years.

Accompanying this silent film on piano will be Ruth Chan, who was commissioned by the BFI to compose the music for this programme. Ruth will introduce the screening and share her personal insight into her composition, the instruments used and the unique challenge of creating music for this extraordinary footage.

* DoUBLE BILL OFFER*

Call 01324 506850 to book these two events for only £10.00 inclusive of tea/coffee and cake! Or visit the website for full details of the Hippfest programme and to book online.

25 March 2017: The Goddess (Shen Nu) 4.30pm-5.45pm

A masterpiece of social realism featuring Chinese superstar Ruan Lingyu as a struggling mother who takes to prostitution on the streets of Shanghai in order to shelter her son from the corrupt city and give him a better chance in life.

The GoddessThis devastatingly beautiful and recently restored film was made by first time director/writer/designer Yonggang aged just 27-years-old, and draws its greatpower from the striking and subtle performance by Ruan. Ruan’s heartrending and sympathetic portrayal ofa self-sacrificing woman at the mercy of society’s hypocrisy was a sensation that was tragically echoed in her real-life. On the eve of her trial for adultery and after months of tabloid harassment Ruan killed herself, aged 24, just one year after the release of  ‘The Goddess’.

Performing live to accompany this classic will be John Sweeney on piano

Director:  Wu Yongang, 1934, 1hr 13m
With:  Ruan Lungyu, Tian Jian, Zhang Zhizhi
Tickets: £9.50/£7.50

Call 01324 506850 to book your ticket or visit the website for full details of the Hippfest programme and to book online.

Four week Chinese Calligraphy Course Tuesday evenings from 10 October 2017

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Discover the ancient art of calligraphy using the traditional Chinese brush and ink combination that has been in use for thousands of years.

The four week course starts on 10 Oct and runs to 7 Nov (no class on 24 Oct) and will be led by Chi Zhang, the Institute’s experienced calligraphy teacher. Students will be introduced to the materials of ink, brush, stone and paper, and initially common techniques will be introduced.

Burns Supper Red Red Rose

This 4 week course will start by introducing common techniques related to the Chinese soft brushes and ink. Students will also learn the basic strokes of Clerical Style (Li Shu). Clerical is a traditional artistic writing style dated back 2000 years ago and still widely used in signage and posters nowadays. This writing style is easier to learn and suitable for beginners.

Students can anticipate completing at least one piece of Chinese calligraphy artwork per class. The contents of this work could be a selected Chinese poems or perhaps an ancient master’s quotation. Demonstration and plenty of personal attention will be provided during the class. This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students.

With a maximum of 12 students in the class plenty of personal attention is guaranteed as well as clear demonstrations and instructions to help students develop their skills.  Both beginners and advanced students are welcome in the class.

The cost is £80 for the 8 hour course which runs Tuesday evenings from 6pm-8pm from 10 Oct There is a concession rate of £70.  The fee includes all materials. A minimum of five students are required to ensure the class goes ahead.

To book and pay online please use the University ePay system.  Alternatively download this Autumn 2017 Half Term-Callig Reg Form then complete and return it to the Confucius Institute for Scotland with a cheque for the correct amount made out to the University of Edinburgh.

KEY INFORMATION

Course: Chinese Calligraphy Four Week Course
Date + TIme: Tuesdays Evenings 6pm-8pm 10, 17 & 31 Oct and & 7 Nov (no class on 24 Oct)
Cost: £80 (£70) including all materials
Location: Confucius Institute for Scotland Campus, Abden House

Chinese Film Screening ‘The World’ – 24 March 2pm

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The WorldJoin us if you can for the regular programme of Chinese Films on Friday.  All films screened have sub-titles.  Viewing is from 2pm in the Screening Room, Room G04 at No 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh, EH8 9LH 

The next screening will be on Friday 24 March with ‘The World’ (Jia Zhangke, 2006) which scored 7.1/10 on IMDb and 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in the World Park near Beijing, featuring lavish shows amidst replicas of some of the most famous monuments from across the globe, the film focuses on three workers in the park.

Julian WardOur Free Films on Friday programme is curated by Chinese Studies senior lecturer Dr Julian Ward whose core specialism is in Chinese literature and film.

The University library holds more than 600 films spanning China’s 20th century film history which are available for loan to those who have a library card.

All welcome, no booking is required.

Film DATE
 Yellow Earth (Chen Kaige, 1984) Friday 20 January
Black Cannon Incident (Huang Jianxin, 1985) Friday 27 January
Black Snow (Xie Fei, 1990) Friday 3 February
Raise the Red Lantern (Zhang Yimou, 1991) Friday 10 February
Red Sorghum (Zhang Yimou, 1988) Friday 17 February
Devils on the Doorstep(JIang Wen, 2000) THURSDAY 23 February
Sacrificed Youth  (Zhang Nuanxin, 1985) CANCELLED
Dust in the Wind (Hou Hsiao-hsien, 1986) Friday 3 March
In the Heat of the Sun (Jiang Wen, 1994) Friday 10 March
In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-Wai, 2000) Friday 17 March
The World  (Jia Zhangke, 2006) Friday 24 March
A Touch of Sin  (Jia Zhangke, 2013) Friday 31 March
Black Coal Thin Ice (Diao Yi’nan 2014) Friday 7 April

Chinese Character Introductory Course 5 weeks from 25 April

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charactersChinese characters are an aspect of the language which can both fascinate and frustrate many westerners.  Lose your frustration and increase your fascination in this 5-week/10 hour Chinese character introductory course. This class will run on Tuesday evenings starting from 25 April 2017. The course will be taught in English.

Content of Course
• The structure of Chinese characters
• Character components and radicals
• Rules of stroke order
• Phonetic and semantic components of Chinese characters

Teaching Method
Theory combined with practice, emphasising the meaning and interesting nature of Chinese characters from principles of construction and cognitive rules to analysis of character structure in whole and in part. This will lead to the goal of recognizing characters and reading and writing in Chinese.

literatureTeaching Goals
Students will master the structures and principles of Chinese characters and be able to recognise and use approximately 150 Chinese characters.

No textbook is required but students will receive printed materials about Chinese characters to help them learn and practice.

When, Where, How Much
When:  Tuesday evenings: 25 April, 2,9.16,23 May from 6pm-8pm
Where: Confucius Institute for Scotland Campus, EH16 5AL
Cost:    £65 (£43.50 concession price)

This course is now available to book online. If you have any questions, please call 0131 662 2180 or email: info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk

Brush Painting:Bamboo & Trees 28 April-5 wks10.30-12.30

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Below is information on the next Friday morning five week Brush Painting class running in April and May. On this 5 week course the focus will be on the painting of bamboo and trees.

chinese paintingThis course runs every Friday morning from 28 April to 26 May 2017 from 10:30 – 12:30.

Bamboo has significant culture importance in China and other east Asian countries, being seen to represent good character as found in gentry and those of noble birth.  The tradition of bamboo painting had been around for many centuries and some techniques have been used for over 1000 years.

treesThe course will introduce the history of Chinese bamboo painting, then the common techniques relating to the use of Chinese soft brushes and ink.

Participants will have the option to select from a range of subjects demonstrated by the tutor, such as bamboo and trees.

BambooAs a student you can anticipate completing at least one Chinese artwork painting per class. Demonstration and plenty of personal attention will be provided during the class. This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students.

There will be a maximum of 12 students in the class for which all materials are provided. The cost is £75 for 10 hours or £60 for concessions. Minimum enrolment of 6 is required to ensure the class goes ahead.

To secure your place on this enjoyable course please use the University’s ePay system or you can download this PDF Form which you will then need to complete and return to our office with  a cheque made out to the University of Edinburgh for the appropriate amount.  Cash payment can be made at the Institute in person.

If you have any questions please contact us on 0131 662 2180 or email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk

Hong Kong Carbon Capture Innovation Centre, 24 Jan 8.30am

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We are pleased to share with you the opportunity to meet with Dr Shelley Zhou, newly appointed CEO of HKCCI (Hong Kong Carbon Capture Innovation). Come along on Tuesday 24 January between 8.30-10.30am at ECCI for a business breakfast and networking event.

The Scotland-Hong Kong centre to which Dr Zhou has been appointed as CEO, builds upon a 2013 memorandum of understanding between the Hong Kong Government and Scottish Government to develop closer partnerships to address the key challenges of climate change and a lower carbon economy. The Team Scotland Centre is led by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) and is funded by the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, BRE Scotland and Scottish Development International.

The centre aims to share and develop best practice with the Hong Kong government agencies, academic and business partners for the future of low-carbon technologies in Hong Kong. Low carbon experts will focus on projects including sustainable buildings, mobility, pollution and waste issues, energy efficiency and carbon monitoring and management. It will serve as a landing pad for Scottish organisations wishing to engage in Hong Kong.

ECCI is also hosting a pop-up Carbon Chat room on Wed 25th January from 2.30pm-4pm. This will be held in the Pod, ECCI.  This is the second opportunity to meet the newly appointed CEO of HKCCI, Dr Shelly Zhou and hear about the plans for the Centre and ECCI’s international aims.No registration is required for this session.

Chinese Brush Painting – Birds and Flowers Jan 2018

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In the winter term, apart from our regular evening calligraphy class, we will also run a 5 week day time Chinese brush painting class starts from 24 January 2018 from 10am – 12.30pm.

chinese painting

Birds and flowers painting were often used as decorative elements in pottery, appeared in screens and utensils. From Tang dynasty around the 8th and 9th centuries in China until today, Birds and flowers painting is a special school of Chinese brush paintings and it is widely popular for centuries.

This 5 week course will start with introducing the history of Chinese painting then the common techniques related to the Chinese soft brushes and ink. Participants will have the option to select from a range of subjects demonstrated by the tutor, such as crane, oriole, kingfisher, lotus flower, Chinese orchid etc.

Students can anticipate completing at least one piece of Chinese painting artwork per class. Demonstration and plenty of personal attention will be provided during the class. This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students.

There will be a maximum of 12 students in the class for which all materials are provided. The cost is £125 for 12.5 hours or £100 for concessions, which is offered only to full time students. Minimum enrolment of 6 is required to ensure the class goes ahead.

To book a place on this rewarding course please book online or complete and return the registration form below along with your cheque payment made out to the University of Edinburgh.  Cash payment can be made in person at the Institute office.

Registration form – Chinese Landscape Painting