Category: Uncategorized

Five-week Online Lunchtime Conversational Chinese starting from Thursday, 29th May

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We are delighted to announce our five-week online lunchtime language course – the Chinese Conversational classes will start again on Thursday, 29th May. These courses are for those who want to spend some dedicated time practicing and consolidating their Chinese conversation skills. It will help students with different language levels develop well-balanced speaking and listening competence by learning and applying Chinese communicative skills in a specific professional or cultural context.

The lunchtime online option aims to create a relaxed and fun learning environment for students to practice conversational skills without travel stress.

Please register by completing the Registration Form HERE 

We will notify registered students when the online payment link is ready.

Conversational Chinese – Elementary level 

Date: Thursday, 29th May – 26th June

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Online via Zoom

Conversational Chinese – Intermediate level 

Date: Thursday, 29th May – 26th June

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Online via Zoom

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop – Scottish Landscape (Outdoor Painting)

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Key Information

Date & Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Saturday, 24 May 2025

Student Level: This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students. It also works as a follow-up for students who previously attended the Chinese landscape painting class. All practice materials will be refreshed from the previous class.

Location: This class will be delivered in person at the garden of Confucius Institute Campus, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why Should I Take This Course?

Chinese brush painting is a traditional art form that beautifully depicts nature. In this course, we will focus on outdoor painting, combining the techniques of Shan Shui (mountain and water) with the stunning Scottish landscape.

Taking inspiration from the picturesque surroundings of Abden House, the main building of the Confucius Institute, this workshop will blend classroom-based instruction with outdoor sketching and painting, weather permitting. You’ll be guided through techniques for capturing the landscape with Chinese brushes and ink while learning to incorporate Scottish scenes into the art.

Live demonstrations will be provided, and the tutor will ensure you can apply the techniques effectively to your work. You are welcome to bring your own photo for inspiration.

What Does It Cover?

Chinese brush painting is a way to express beauty and a calming practice. It helps to reduce stress and increase focus. Take this opportunity to paint in nature and immerse yourself in the peaceful flow of the art form.

About the Teacher

This course will be led by Chi Zhang, an experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary The Art of Chinese Brush Painting. Chi was shortlisted for Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015, and her work has been projected across Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo.

For more information and to view Chi’s artwork, visit www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

Cost: £40

Booking & Further Information

To ensure the best learning experience, the class size is limited. Please complete the registration form HERE and payment can be made HERE

For more information or to arrange one-on-one tutorials or small group workshops, please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk.

 

Chinese & English Online Bilingual Tandem

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Are you interested in practising your Chinese conversational skills with a native speaker? 

Are you looking for Chinese and English language exchange outside the classroom?

If you answer YES our Online Bilingual Tandem is the perfect place for you!

Chinese & English language tandem session is an opportunity to practice your language skills and make new friends with the same interests. Each tandem session is topic-based and a chance for the students of the Confucius Institute for Scotland, which aims to bring together people who speak different languages to share their knowledge in an informal and friendly environment.

A maximum capacity of eight people for each session has been set to optimise the experience – so space is very limited!

Key Information: 

Event dates: 26th February, 5th & 12th March

Time: 12oon – 13:00

Format: Online via Zoom

Booking: Please register via Eventbrite HERE

Chinese Brush Painting workshop – Lotus and fish

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Key Information:

Date & Time: 10.00 am – 3.00pm / Saturday 26 April 2025

Student level: This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students.

Location: This class will be delivered in person at the Confucius Institute campus, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why should I take this course?

By controlling the special soft brush with a sharp point, Chinese brush painting is a mental exercise and a physical exercise that coordinates the mind and the body. Join this course to learn brush-handling techniques and paint some interesting subjects. Lotus represents the ultimate purity of the heart and mind and perfection. Koi fish, black or red, also represent wealth, success and popularity.

What does it cover?

This one-day workshop will introduce you to the traditional techniques of using soft brushes and ink to create bird subjects. Under the tutor’s guidance, you can choose to paint birds such as orioles, magpies, or cranes, as demonstrated during the session.

About the teacher:

This course will be led by Chi Zhang – an experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary ‘The Art of Chinese Brush Painting’, shortlisted for ‘Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015’, whose work has been projected across Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo. For more information and to see Chi’s work, please visit http://www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

£40 (all materials will be included)

Booking & Further information:

To optimise the learning experience, a maximum capacity has been set per group – so space is limited! To secure one of the limited spaces on this course, please use the online registration form to book your place.

One-to-one tutorials and small group workshops can also be arranged. Please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk for more info.

 

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop – Birds, Saturday, 29 March 2025

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Key Information

Date & Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Saturday, 29 March 2025

Student Level: This workshop is suitable for both beginners and advanced students.

Location: This class will be delivered in person at the Confucius Institute Campus, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why Should I Take This Course?

Chinese brush painting is a mental and physical exercise, requiring control of the brush while harmonising the mind and body. In this course, you will learn essential brush-handling techniques to create beautiful bird paintings. In Chinese culture, bird subjects, including orioles, magpies, and cranes, symbolise joy, good fortune, and longevity.

What Does It Cover?

This one-day workshop will teach the traditional techniques of Chinese brush painting, focusing on using soft brushes and ink to depict birds. The tutor will guide you through the process, offering the option to paint a variety of bird species, such as orioles, magpies, and cranes.

About the Teacher

The workshop will led by Chi Zhang, a highly experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary The Art of Chinese Brush Painting. Chi was shortlisted for Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015, and her work was projected onto Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo. For more information and to explore Chi’s art, visit www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

Cost £40 (all materials will be included)

Booking & Further Information

To ensure an optimal learning experience, the class size is limited. To secure one of the available spaces, please register and make the payment HERE 

For additional information or to arrange one-on-one tutorials or small group workshops, please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk.

FREE Chinese language taster session for UoE students starting from 27th February, 2-4pm

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We are delighted to share that our 5-week Chinese language taster session for UoE students starts from 27th February, 2025.

This in-person course is aimed at learners who have no prior knowledge of the Chinese language. Running for 10 hours over 5 weeks, two hours each session. This course takes learners through basic expressions needed in typical conversational situations. Pronunciation and communicative practice will be the focus of this course.

By the end of the course, students will have started to tune in to the sounds of the Chinese language and the tones and have learned some basic phrases used in for social interaction.

Date & Time: Thursdays from 27th February – 27th March, 2-4pm 

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

This FREE course is open to UoE students only. Please reserve your place HERE  by using your UoE email address and student number.

Conversational Chinese starting from 24th February, 2025

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We are delighted to announce that our five-week language course – the Chinese Conversational classes, will start again on 24th February.  This winter, we offer Monday lunchtime online oral sessions to meet our students’ popular demand and interest alongside the in-person sessions on Wednesday evenings.

These courses are for those who want to spend some dedicated time practising their Chinese oral skills and consolidating their conversation skills. It will help students with different language levels develop well-balanced speaking and listening competence by learning and applying Chinese communicative skills in a specific professional or cultural context.

Please register by completing the Registration Form HERE

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Monday lunchtime, Online via Zoom

Conversational Chinese – Elementary level 

Date: Monday, 24th February – 24th March

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Online via Zoom

Conversational Chinese – Intermediate level

Date: Monday, 24th February – 24th March

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location:  Online via Zoom

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Wednesday evening, in-person

Conversational Chinese – Elementary level 

Date: Wednesday, 26th February – 26th March

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Confucius Institute Campus, No. 79 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5AL

Conversational Chinese – Intermediate level

Date: Wednesday, 26th February – 26th March

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Confucius Institute Campus, No. 79 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5AL

 

5 week – Chinese Brush Painting Class – February & March, 2025

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Key Information

Date & Time: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm / Wednesday 19 & 26 February, 5, 12 & 19 March 2025

Student level: 

Open to all skill levels! Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this class is tailored to meet your needs and help you progress at your own pace.

Location: 

This class will be delivered in person at the Confucius Institute campus, Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why should I take this course?

This general Chinese brush painting class covers a variety of subjects, including fruits and vegetables, lotus and orchid flowers, birds, and fish. Beyond honing your artistic skills, Chinese painting offers meditative benefits and introduces you to a unique art form steeped in tradition.

What does it cover?

In this course, you’ll master fundamental techniques of Chinese brush painting, such as using the brush, ink, and paper effectively and practising essential strokes and styles.

You’ll also delve into the cultural and historical significance of Chinese painting and its influence on other artistic traditions.

About the teacher:

This course will be led by Chi Zhang – an experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary ‘The Art of Chinese Brush Painting’, shortlisted for ‘Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015’, whose work has been projected across Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo. For more information and to see Chi’s work, please visit http://www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

£100  (all materials will be included)

Booking & Further information:

To optimise the learning experience, a maximum capacity has been set per group – so space is very limited! – Fully booked 

One-to-one tutorials and small group workshops can also be arranged. Please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk for more info.

“My Chinese Journey” 2025 Chinese Speech Contest

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We are excited to announce the upcoming “My Chinese Journey” Chinese Speech Contest which will take place in March 2025! This competition aims to encourage participants to showcase their Chinese speaking skills and promote cultural learning. We welcome everyone who meets the criteria to join us in this exciting event! Below are the details for participation.

Date: 1pm-4pm, Friday, 28th March, 2025

Venue: Confucius Institute for Scotland, Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Topic: My Chinese Journey

Form: Participants shall deliver a 3-minute speech in Mandarin on the topic of My Chinese Journey, including a brief self-introduction.

Eligibility

Entrants must be over 14 years old and non-native speakers of Mandarin Chinese who are learning Chinese as a foreign language.

Judging Criteria

For speeches, scores will be based on the following criteria:

  • Content: Participants will be judged on the richness of the message conveyed and the extent to which they demonstrate understanding of that message.
  • Vocab and grammar: Vocabulary and grammatical structures should be appropriate. Perfect grammar is not necessary, as long as structures are mainly Chinese, rather than English.
  • Fluency: There should be evidence that candidates can speak fluently without too much memorisation.
  • Pronunciation: Pronunciation should be comprehensible and clear enough for a native speaker of Mandarin to understand.
  • Physical presence and stage appearance: Judges will also consider the overall performance of a contestant.

How to Register:

Download the registration form HERE. 

Please return the completed registration form to info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk by 7th March 2025. 

Awards and Prizes

Each and every contestant will receive one of the following awards based on their performances:

First Place: £100 gift voucher plus a certificate

Second Place: £75 gift voucher plus a certificate

Third Place: £50 gift voucher plus a certificate

Participation Award: All the rest of the contestants will receive a participation certificate and a gift.

Further Information:

Please get in touch by email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk if you have any further questions.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Creativity!

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Event details:

Date & Time: Thursday, 23rd January, 5-6.30pm

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

Join us for a FREE calligraphy session to create your own Fu – the Chinese character for “Good Luck” or “Good Fortune,” a meaningful symbol often displayed during the Lunar New Year and other festive occasions.

Chinese calligraphy is one of China’s oldest and most treasured visual art forms. Practising calligraphy and painting is a calming and meditative activity and promotes well-being and longevity. By mastering the soft, pointed brush, you’ll engage in an exercise that harmonizes the mind and body.

Whether a beginner or simply curious, this session offers a perfect introduction to Chinese calligraphy.

Spaces are limited, so register online HERE to secure your spot!

Exploring Suzhou Jiangnan Culture – Hybrid Event

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Join us on Thursday, 28th November, for a hybrid event to explore Suzhou Jiangan Culture.

Suzhou is a historical and cultural city in China. It is the birthplace of Wu culture and has a history spanning over 4,000 years from the earliest written records. Located at the heart of ancient China’s cultural and economic centre, Suzhou has long been known for the saying, “Heaven is above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below.” The city has nurtured numerous intangible cultural heritage items, such as Kunqu opera and Suzhou embroidery, reflecting the profound depth of Chinese civilization.

Event details

Date/Time: Thursday, 28th November, 10am-12noon

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

Event type: Hybrid

The event is free, but booking is required. Please reserve your place HERE

 

Hu Jierui

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Position: Language Teacher
Telephone: 0131 6622180
Email: v1jhu34@ed.ac.uk

Hu Jierui is a postgraduate student. Her major is teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages at China’s Fudan University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in English in 2021. After one year of English teaching experience, she decided to further her studies in a different field. In 2023, she was admitted to Fudan University in Shanghai, where she began her master’s degree in teaching Chinese and gained invaluable experience.

Zhou Hongli

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Position: Language Teacher
Telephone: 0131 6622180
Email: v1hzho12@ed.ac.uk

Zhou Hongli graduated from Sichuan University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at Fudan University. In September 2024, she joined the Confucius Institute for Scotland.

With five years of study and practical experience, she has gained a wealth of knowledge in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. She believes language is a powerful medium for connecting cultures, and she is excited to explore and foster this resonance through her work.

 

FREE Chinese language taster session for UoE students starting from 7th November, 2-4pm

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We are delighted to share that our 5-week Chinese language taster session for UoE students starts from 7th November.

This in-person course is aimed at learners who have no prior knowledge of the Chinese language. Running for 10 hours over 5 weeks, two hours each session. This course takes learners through basic expressions needed in typical conversational situations. Pronunciation and communicative practice will be the focus of this course.

By the end of the course, students will have started to tune in to the sounds of the Chinese language and the tones and have learned some basic phrases used in for social interaction.

Date & Time: Thursdays from 7th Nov – 5th Dec, 2-4pm 

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

This FREE course is open to UoE students only. Please reserve your place HERE  by using your UoE email address and student number.

FREE Lunch time language taster session for UoE staff – starts on 6th November, 2024

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We are delighted to share that our 5-week Chinese language taster session for UoE staff starts on 6th November.

This FREE lunchtime taster course will run once a week, an hour each session for five weeks.

This course is an introductory session for learners without prior knowledge of the Chinese language. It is designed for those who want a short, focused introduction to Chinese language learning. It takes learners through basic expressions needed in typical conversational situations. Pronunciation and communicative practice will be the focus of this course. By the end of the course, students will have started to tune in to the sounds and tones of the Chinese language and learn some basic phrases used for social interaction.

Key Information:

Date & Time:

Group 1: Wednesdays from 6th November – 4th December, 12.15 – 13.15

Location: Room, G.05, Murchison House, The University of Edinburgh

Please reserve your place HERE  by using your UoE email address and staff number.

Group 2: Wednesdays from 6th November – 4th December, 12.15 – 13.15

Location: Room: 2.05. Appleton Tower, George Square

This FREE course is open to UoE staff only. Please reserve your place HERE  by using your UoE email address and staff number

A maximum capacity of 10 spaces has been set per group to optimise the learning experience – so space is very limited!

Please get in touch with xin.zhang@ed.ac.ukif you require any further information.

Conversational Chinese starting from Wednesday, 6th November, 2024

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We are delighted to announce our in-person, five-week language course – the Chinese Conversational classes will start again on 6th November. These courses are for those who want to spend some dedicated time practising their Chinese oral skills and consolidating their conversation skills. It will help students with different language levels develop well-balanced speaking and listening competence by learning and applying Chinese communicative skills in a specific professional or cultural context.

Please register by completing the Registration Form HERE 

Conversational Chinese – Elementary level 

Date: Wednesday, 6th November – 4th December

Time: 6pm-7.30pm

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Confucius Institute Campus, No. 79 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5AL

Conversational Chinese – Intermediate level

Date: Wednesday, 6th November – 4th December

Time: 6pm-7.30pm

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Confucius Institute Campus, No. 79 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5AL

Conversational Chinese – Advanced level

Date: Wednesday, 6th November – 4th December

Time: 5:30pm-7.00pm

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Confucius Institute Campus, No. 79 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5AL

 

Doors Open Days – Abden House, Sunday, 29 Sept, 10 am-3 pm

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Abden House was built in 1855 for Thomas Nelson, founder of the Scottish publishers of the same name, and designed by civil engineer Thomas Davies. Today it’s the property of the University of Edinburgh, gift by Sir Donald Pollock.

Built with three storeys in the Jacobean revivalist style of the 19th century, Abden faces a carriage circle with gates at the end of Marchhall Crescent. It has an irregular plan with single story wings on the North and South sides.

The Confucius Institute for Scotland team is delighted to participate in the Doors Open Day 2024 programme. This Sunday, 29 September, from 10 am to 3 pm, the team will be ready to welcome you to Abden House, where you can participate in various workshops, from language taster sessions, calligraphy, and Chinese craft to Chinese dance and Taichi. The Doors Open Day is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Abden House, learn some basic Chinese language, and enjoy several cultural activities. You can also simply meet up with friends old and new over a cup of tea and some Chinese snacks.

Film Screening, Yangzi’s Confusion 洋子的困惑

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We are delighted to collaborate with MINT Chinese Film Festival to present a special film screening, Yangzi’s Confusion 洋子的困惑, as a celebration of the mid-autumn festival.

Synopsis

Yangzi, a 10-year-old girl, steals her mum’s diary to discover why her mum abandoned her. But her mum does not want to communicate with her. On her grandma’s 60th birthday, they have to face each other. The film is in Mandarin with English subtitles. 

Date: Thursday, 19th September

Time: 17.30-18.30

Doors open at 5pm

Complimentary refreshments and seasonal Chinese mid-autumn festival mooncakes will be available.

Dr Yuqing Liu from the University of Edinburgh’s Chinese Studies department within the School of Literatures Languages and Cultures will introduce the film beforehand.

All are welcome; spaces are limited; please book via Eventbrite HERE

 

Free online course: EdinburghX: Nitrogen: A Global Challenge (Chinese)

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About this course

这是一场巨大的风暴。有限的食物、水和能源在不断增长的人口间不均匀的分布着，与之相关的气候变暖使得事情更为糟糕。在所有这些全球性挑战中，氮素起着主导作用。在这里，您将了解到氮素是如何与人类文明息息相关的，而未来氮素是将成为人类的救世主还是恶魔。

氮气的故事既平凡又奇特，即充满激情又饱含忧郁。它既是气候的朋友，也是污染的敌人，是享受饕餮盛宴还是忍受食不果腹也与氮素相关。如果你对氮素的看法还是停留在它只是元素周期表上一个无聊的元素，那么是时候了好好了解以下氮素了。

无论您来自何种知识背景，这一创新性的课程都将教给您关于氮素和全球变化的核心概念，使您能够更好地理解它所代表的挑战和机遇。课程关键主题包括粮食安全、气候变化、空气污染、水体污染和人类健康等。

我们将通过爱丁堡大学屡次获奖的教师团队的教学方法来带你学习本课程。这门课程采用了一种引人入胜且十分专业的方法来展示如何应对全球范围内的氮挑战，以及如何更好地全面系统地应对氮素对人类文明所构成的威胁。

这是世界一流的课程，由拥有数十年从事氮素和全球变化研究的教授授课，是英国和印度专家之间合作的成果，这也是 Newton-Bhabha Virtual Centre on Nitrogen Efficiency 的一部分。

本课程的讨论论坛将借助翻译工具以英语进行监测

The course is free, please register HERE

The Price of Tomorrow – Dong Xi in Conversation with Jenny Niven, Wed, 31st July, 4-6pm

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Join us for an exclusive pre-launch event hosted by Jenny Niven in discussion with the author Dong Xi as they discuss his upcoming novel Fate Rewritten. We are delighted to host the event in collaboration with Sinoist Books, a UK-based independent press that publishes only the best in translated Chinese literature and contemporary fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For generations, Wang Changchi’s family have dreamed of escaping their poverty-stricken village. When a twist of fate takes his chance away, he joins the hordes of migrant workers risking their lives for a shot at city life. Still hoping for a reversal of fortune, will he risk it all for one more chance to bring success to his family line?

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Dong Xi is the pen name of Tian Dailin. Born in Guangxi Province, Chinese critics include him among the “New Generation” of writers. Notable works include the novels Record of Regret and Fate Rewritten, as well as the novella Life without Language, which won the Lu Xun Literary Award. He is Writer in Residence at the Guangxi University for Nationalities.

Jenny Niven joined the Book Festival in September 2023. Prior to this, she was founder and Director of the award-winning Push The Boat Out, a festival of poetry, spoken word and language; Executive Producer of Dandelion, an epic programme of sowing, growing and sharing across Scotland, and chair of Literature Alliance Scotland, the national membership organisation for books and publishing. She was named in The List’s ‘Hot 100’ people influencing Scotland’s art’s and cultural landscape in 2022. In previous roles, she has led the literature and publishing team as Head of Literature at Creative Scotland, executive produced the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, led on the creation of the Muriel Spark 100 centenary celebrations, was Head of Programme/Associate Director at the Wheeler Centre for Books Writing & Ideas, Melbourne, and co-founded Beijing’s first book festival.

Event details:

Date: Wed 31st Jul 2024

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

Language: Chinese with English Consecutive interpretation

The event is free, but booking is required. Please book HERE.