Category: announcements

Share your thoughts on any aspect of China`s people, language, culture and you could win a trip to Shanghai in the `Window to Shanghai` writing competition.

’Window of Shanghai’ is a book donation program initiated in 2002 by Shanghai Library. The Confucius Institute for Scotland joined this program on opening and received a collection of English and dual language books from Shanghai Library.

“Window of Shanghai” held its first writing contest in 2010. Institute student Geoffrey Scott was one of several CI students to enter that contest and was one of 20 winners around the globe.

This year, the contest is being arranged again as a stage to promote cultural exchange between China and other countries/cities. People are welcome to write about China, its history, culture, language and people, from an outsider’s eyes.

China is a vast and varied country and entrants have the opportunity to write on any aspect of China from its history or culture to personal experiences. Choose to write a book review; a commentary on any aspects of China be it language, people, culture; share your personal experience or stories of studying/ working/ living/travelling in Shanghai or elsewhere in China; share your thoughts on Chinese culture and/or its relationship with other cultures. All works that are related to China and Chinese culture are welcome.

The deadline for entries is 31 October 2012. Official entry form and further information can be found at the Window of Shanghai competition webpage.

Feel free to contact the Institute if you have any questions or would like to select a book for review from our library.

Event Date: 03/08/2012

`Detention` – from the Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio, Hong Kong, brings this non-verbal comedy combined with powered acrobatics, off-the-wall clowning and throbbing percussion. The show is about three naughty high school boys chasing a beautiful female classmate around in a detention class. However, because their short-tempered teacher frequently checks in on them, they must be very careful while monkeying around. The ensuing chaos is a hilarious uproar of mischief and mayhem.

Director Tang Shu-wing, who has directed Titus Andronicus in London’s Globe to Globe Festival in May 2012, leads a brilliant cast.

DATES 3-26 August
TIME 13.00 (1 hr 5mins duration)
VENUE No 26, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh,EH9 1QH
BOOK via via Fringe website or tel 0845 874 3001

Drop in on the evening of Tuesday 25 Sept for a free taster session to discover the pleasure in calligraphy/Chinese brush painting.

This ancient art form has a unique meditative quality and under the tutorship of Chi Zhang students will develop their own techniques, skills and style. Drop in for a 30-40 minute session sometime between 6.30pm and 8.30pm when our calligraphy teacher will guide those taking up the brush for the first time and answer any questions you may have. Please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk to book your place by 20th September 2012.

The full programme of classes will start on 2nd October for ten weeks. For full details of the autumn calligraphy class schedule and to book a place please visit the courses section of our website.

Event Date: 03/08/2012

In `The Sun Is Not for Us` Li Ruru explores love, hatred, adultery, incest, hope, frustration and struggle from a Chinese women’s perspective. Denied the sun, enduring a life bereft of hope, imprisoned in an eighteen-year arranged marriage, what happens when a Chinese woman falls in love with her stepson? Why does a girl leave university to become a courtesan? How can you reconcile primitive passions, sexual deprivation and a defiant courage for life? After losing love and dignity, is death the only escape?

Inspired by legendary Chinese playwright Cao Yu, these themes are explored in a dynamic production bringing together the characters and stories of China`s four most famous modern theatre works in one hour.

This work has been devised by the stepdaughter of legendary Chinese dramatist Cao Yu, Li Ruru basing this dramatic piece on her father’s four most famous plays.

Often compared to Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov and O’Neill, Cao Yu is the foremost pioneer of modern Chinese drama ; his skilful fusion of dramatic artistry and socio-political themes has made his work masterpieces.

VENUE NO 36
Carlton Hotel,
North Bridge,
Edinburgh
EH1 1SD

DATES & TIME

Each show last one hour from 16.10-17.10

3,4 August Preview Shows at £5 per ticket
6,7 August Two for one offer on tickets £7(£5)
10,11 August Tickets at £7 (£5)

TICKET
Book via the Fringe Box Office or by phone to

AGE SUITABILITY
14+

Event Date: 03/08/2012

Formed in 2011, ten years on from the original Three Tenors concert in Beijing, the trio comprises China`s most celebrated tenors – Dai Yuqiang, Wei Song and Warren Wah-lun Mok. Their world tour began in October, with the premier concert in Beijing, followed by Hong Kong, Macau and New York. After Edinburgh they will be performing in Freiburg and Cologne.

Dai Yuqiang was Luciano Pavarotti`s first and only Chinese student, while Wei Song is known in the People`s Republic as `China`s Pavarotti` and is Vice-President of the Shanghai Opera House. Warren Wah-lun Mok, from Hong Kong, has a distinguished career as one of China`s top opera singers as well as being Artistic Director of the Macau International Music Festival and Founder of Opera Hong Kong. This concert marks 25 years since his European debut.

The concert, A Beijing Night with China`s Three Tenors, is sponsored by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, for which the trio are ambassadors.

The repertoire for the concert, conducted by Martin Yates, includes pieces from classic European operas such as Tosca, Carmen and Rigoletto, the works of contemporary composers from China, and a selection of traditional Chinese folk songs.

Those attending the concert will have the chance to win a holiday in Beijing to see sights such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall of China.

For more information and to book tickets please visit the Usher Hall website.

VENUE: Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh. Tel 0131 228 1155
TIME : 7.30pm
TICKETS: £35, £30, £25, £20, £15 – concessiona available

The first of this year`s Fringe shows `China Red` is a spectacular dance and physical theatre show presented by Beijing Students Golden Sail Art Troupe this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 3,4,5 August at venue 82, Zoo Southside

With only 5 shows offered over three days don`t miss this Edinburgh debut for an award-winning young Chinese company. A packed and spectacularly varied programme combining the finest traditional Chinese dance with a diverse array of international styles, delivered with passion and exuberance by Beijing`s rising dance and music talents. The show features inspirational and rejuvenating performances encompassing modern and time-honoured Chinese dances and costumes, as well as tap and Irish folk! The Golden Sail Troupe has performed around the world, with audiences including the Pope, members of UNESCO and the WHO, and the Beijing Olympic Games.

Suitable for all the family, choose from the morning show at 11am show or the late night slot which starts at 22.45pm show. Each show lasts 40 minutes.

Tickets are priced at £10(£8) and can be booked via the Fringe Box Office or directly with the venue.

VENUE NO 82
Box office phone
0131 662 6892

Address
117 Nicolson Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9ER

Over the period Sept-November the Institute will run a number of lectures from well know UK and Chinese business leaders. Already secured for this autumn Business Lecture Series are Jim McColl, Clyde Blowers, David Nish of Standard Life, Peter Budd of Arup Scotland and Dr Liu Li, Chief Architect of one of Beijing`s leading architectural design companies.

For full details and to book a place please visit please visit the microsite for this series.

This lecture series was inspired by Adam Dupre, Chairman of China Company Research Services and ex-officio President of the 48 Group Club. Adam was our first speaker in the Business Lecture series run in spring 2012. He worked closely with the Institute on the development of this lecture series and we are greatly saddened that Adam lost his battle with cancer shortly after he gave his talk. We shall miss his wisdom and insight as well as his humanity.

Applications for the Confucius Institute Scholarships for 2012 are now being accepted – one semester, one year and a two year Masters in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages are all on offer.

To be eligible you must be a non-Chinese citizen aged between 16 and 35. For applicants to the Master`s programme the age limit is 45.

Scholarships Outline

Type A Scholarships for one semester can be taken in autumn semester 2012 or spring semester 2013. Applicants can choose to study Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, or Chinese Philosophy.

Type B Scholarships of one academic year. Applicants can choose to study Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, or Chinese Philosophy. This scholarship runs for one year starting in autumn 2012

Type C Master in International Education of Chinese Language scholarship
The scholarship lasts for two years from autumn 2012. After successful completion of the study, the candidates will be awarded Master’s degree in MTCSOL and graduate certificate.

All Confucius Institute scholarships cover:

1. Registration Fee and Tuition Fees
2. Fees for basic course books
3. Accommodation on campus
4. A one-off resettlement subsidy
5. Monthly allowance

A resettlement subsidy of CNY 1,000 is offered to students who will study in China for one semester. CNY 1,500 is given to those students who will study for one academic year or more. Please note that the resettlement subsidy will not be provided to those who have studied in China for more than 6 months before enrolling.

The monthly allowance is CNY 1,400 for those studying for one semester or one year. For those on the two year Master`s programme the monthly allowance is CNY 1,700.

Each of the three categories of scholarship has different application requirements. Please download this PDF for detailed information

• Scholarship Application Specifications (PDF)

Application Procedure

Please note this is a two part process. You must log on and register electronically and then print off your online registration documents and make a paper application with supporting documents to the Confucius Institute through which you are applying.

Step 1

Log onto http://cis.chinese.cn to set up your personal account then complete and submit the Confucius Institute Scholarship Application Form online.

Step 2

Print out the submitted form and send it together with other supporting documents (see document below) to your local Confucius Institute (i.e. the Confucius Institute for Soctland) before Wednesday 2nd May.

• Other Supporting documents (PDF)

What happens next?

All applications will be reviewed initially by the Confucius Institute which will recommend outstanding applicants to those Chinese host institutions taking part. Host institutions will then review the applications and submit their proposed scholarship candidates list to Hanban.

Hanban will organise an expert panel to make the final selection and award the scholarships by 30 June 2012. The Chinese Universities will send successful applicants an “Admission Notice” and enrolment package by 10 July 2012.

You book your flight to China!

Congratulations to the Institute`s Chinese calligraphy and brush painting teacher Chi Zhang MSC BA, whose Chinese brush painting artwork has been selected for Visual Arts Scotland 2012 Annual Exhibition in the Royal Scottish Academy.

His painting,`Heavy Snow` is one of 280 works selected from a field of some 850 submissions.

The exhibition is FREE and run from Sat 4th February – Thurs 1st March RSA Upper Galleries, The Mound, Edinburgh. Chi Zhang will be in the gallery on 4th Saturday February.

To find out more about Chi Zhang`s work please visit his blog chicalligraphy.blogspot.com For more information on his Chinese calligraphy and brush painting course in the insititute please click here.