Learn Mandarin online - Irish Riverdance Taps China

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Irish Riverdance Taps China

( 2008-07-01 )

In 2000, Riverdance was on Broadway for a year at the Gershwin Theatre with an all-new show, featuring dance leads Pat Roddy and Eileen Martin and singers Brian Kennedy and Tsidii Le Loka.

In 2003, The Riverdance Company brought the Broadway-style musical to China. Performers from Moscow Folklore Ballet Troupe supplemented the show. The performers came from Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and of course, from Ireland.

An exciting display of music, dance and singing, the show is a story of Ireland and its people. Like a river that is fed by many tributaries, and then flows out into the ocean, the Irish people came from many different places, like Spain, France, Britain, and then, centuries later, "flowed" out of
Ireland to other parts of the world after a failed potato crop. Around a million Irish headed abroad, many to America.

The show has two acts. The first one depicted the hard life of the Irish ancestors and their fear, joy and origins and their love of nature.

The second act depicted the life of Irish who migrated overseas, mainly to the United States. It tells of the cultural conflicts and compromises. The show blended many cultures; scenes were dedicated to Russian, African-American, Spanish flamingo dancing and, of course, Irish tap dancing.

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Chinese Class - Attractions of Beijing

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Attractions of Beijing

( 2008-06-27 )

If you can choose to visit only one city in China, it definitely should be Beijing. It boasts of so many best attractions, not only the 'Nation's Bests' but the 'World's Bests'.

The magnificent Forbidden City is the largest and the best-preserved Imperial Palace complex in the world. It has 9,999 rooms in flourishing period (many were desolated and now there are over 8,000 completed rooms saved) with just a single room short of the number that ancient Chinese belief
represents 'Divine Perfection' and surrounded by a moat six meters (about 6.6 yards) deep and ten-meter (about 11 yards) high wall. For five centuries, this palace functioned as the administrative center of the country as well as being the residence of emperors and empresses of Ming (1368 - 1644)
and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties. Thus, the place itself is not to be missed by any Beijing visitor.

The solemn and respectful Tiananmen Square is the largest central city square in the world, which serves not only Beijing's symbol but also the whole of China. This immense courtyard is the site of various historical events. The square is surrounded by a variety of significant edifices namely, the
Chinese Revolution History Museum, the Mao Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, the elegant and beautiful Tiananmen (Heavenly Peace Gate) Tower, and the Qianmen (Front Gate). The daily flag ceremonies at the square, performed during sunrise and sunset, are most exceptional and well-worth time
to view and experience.

The Great Wall is one of the 'Eight Wonders of the World' and is enlisted in the World Heritage Directory. This immense wall was built to keep out invaders as well as to retain the inhabitants. It spans five provinces (6,700 kilometers, or 2,587 miles) from Shanhaiguan Pass in the east to
Jiayuguan Pass in the west. Like a gigantic dragon, it winds up and down across deserts, grasslands and mountains and said to be the only man-made structure that can be seen from the moon.

Beijing has lots of beautiful temples that at one time served as the focus of religious life. The Temple of Heaven is the largest group of structures in the country dedicated to rituals that pay homage to the glory of heaven. This temple was built specifically for worship of heaven and prayers for
good harvests during the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are two amazing acoustical spots in the temple. Originally built in the 1500's, there is a spot on top of the tri-leveled round altar where your words reverberate around you. The other one is at the Echo Wall that partially encloses a
circular courtyard 65 meters in diameter. Words whispered at one end travel along the wall and can be heard clearly by someone listening at the other end. The entire complex is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese architectural designs and arts.

There are many other fascinating temples in Beijing worth visiting such as, the White Cloud Taoist Temple, which is one of the oldest and still the most active of Taoist temples, and the Temple of Confucius, in honor of and sacrifice to Confucius. Visiting these temples can help you get a clearer
concept of ancient Chinese's religious life.

Other famous Beijing attractions include the Ming Tombs , the burial site of 13 ancient Ming emperors; the Bell and Drum Towers built in the 1400's; Fragrant Hills Park; the Ancient Observatory that dates back to the days of Kublai Khan; the Silk Market; the Botanical Gardens; the Indian-designed
Temple of Azure Clouds and many other wondrous places. Readers of the classic book 'Dream of the Red Chamber' will want to visit the Grand View Garden, which was purported to be the model mansion in the novel.

For a peaceful and interesting stroll, visit Beijing's many beautiful parks, such as Beihai Park, which was allegedly built by the Great Khan, centuries earlier than the Forbidden City. This park was enjoyed by various rulers of China for hundreds of years and features great pavilions,
architecturally interesting walkways, the 27-meter-long (about 88 feet) Nine Dragon Screen (built to scare off evil spirits), a jar that was the last remnant of the Khan's court, the Five Dragon Pavilion dating back from the mid 1600's, and a large lake with an island in the middle. The Summer
Palace is another one that is definitely a 'must see', a famous classic imperial garden with breathtaking beauty. It holds a special place in the history of Chinese gardens.

There are many other fascinating temples in Beijing worth visiting such as, the White Cloud Taoist Temple, which is one of the oldest and still the most active of Taoist temples, and the Temple of Confucius, in honor of and sacrifice to Confucius. Visiting these temples can help you get a clearer
concept of ancient Chinese's religious life.

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* Beijing Paralympics Emblem ( 07-10 )
* Environmental Emblem of Beijing 2008 ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing 2008 OYC ( 07-10 )
* Emblem of the Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival ( 07-10 )

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Olympic on Beijing's Axis

　 Online Tour

============================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================

| About us | E-mail | Contact |

Constructed by .cn
Copyright 2003 Ministry of Culture, P.R.China. All rights reserved

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Learn Mandarin online - Shakespeare with a Korean Twist

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Shakespeare with a Korean Twist

A Korean version of Shakespeare's Macbeth is one of the highlights of Korean Week, which kicked off in Beijing on June 18. It will combine with many traditional dance and music shows at the National Center for the Performing Arts.

The program will showcase Korean art and culture as planned by China's Ministry of Culture and Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

It is part of Beijing's Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, which celebrates the upcoming Games.

Six performing arts companies from South Korea are expected to offer Beijing audiences diverse dance, music and theatrical productions to demonstrate both traditional and contemporary arts.

The National Opera of Korea will bring the opera Match Made in Heaven to the Century Theater on June 28 and 29.

Directed by Yang Jeong Woong and conducted by Kim Deok Ki, the comedic opera tells of the clashes that exist between the strict marriage customs of Old Korea and the younger generation's pursuit for love and freedom.

The Seoul Performing Arts Company will perform The King's Jerster at the Century Theater on July 5 and 6. The musical includes a variety of traditional performance ranging from street operas to acrobatics.

The Korean musical, which is based on the 2005 South Korean blockbuster hit-film The King and the Clown - was drawn from Kim Tae-woong's play Yi. Kim's play has also enjoyed popularity in Southeast Asia, including China.

The Korean Arts Management Service has also organized South Korea's top three contemporary theater companies to give performances in the capital.

Theater Gol Mok Gil will show Beautiful Youth at the Chaoyang Nine Theaters from July 2 to 4. The play is about a father, who lost his job and his problem son, who does nothing but fool around all day.

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Chinese Studies - Preface

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Preface

Masks are a cultural phenomenon carried down from ancient times that reflect various religions, customs and aesthetics of different nations. Most ancient nations have their own histories of the development of masks, which used to be manifestations of religions, gods and totems and continue to
carry stories from myth and history. Masks are also a source for modern plastic, makeup and performing arts and a concrete reflection of traditional beauty in painting, sculpture, plastic art and handicrafts.

Chinese masks and the art of mask-making enjoy a long history. Chinese masks are made from a big variety of materials and come from a wide range of regions. They are endowed with exquisite paintings and exotic artistic designs which have profound historical implications.

In terms of materials, Chinese masks fall into the following categories: gold masks, bronze masks, gilt metal masks, iron masks, jade masks, wood masks, bamboo masks, cloth masks, paper masks, plastic masks and more.

In terms of function, Chinese masks can be classified into the following main categories: first are masks of Nuo gods——to call on the gods to expel evil spirits, avoid disasters and bring happiness, health, good harvest, peace and stability. Nuo masks appeared as early as three thousand years
ago and were used in the Nuo ritual during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Nuo masks such as bronze masks and the “four golden-eyes masks” with traces of totems that were worn by bear-dressed fangxiangshi (people in ancient royal courts exorcising evil spirits) have great historical and cultural
value, because they are China’s most ancient masks for repelling ghosts and plague, and possess the strongest primeval features, with a wild, ferocious and primitive beauty and a special sense of mystery. Second are masks for sacrificial ceremonies——to pray for the gods’ blessing to ensure
happiness, safety and good health. Third are scaring masks——to be hung on the columns of temples and door lintels of houses. They are called “tunkou (swallow mouth)” masks, meant to swallow evil spirits. Fourth are funeral masks——such as golden masks or masks decorated with jade and
gold to be worn on the faces of the deceased, and jade masks in the shapes of divine tigers to be hung on the walls of tombs and on coffins. Fifth are masks for operas, dance and entertainment events, and handicraft masks——such as artistic masks for Nuo opera, Nuo dance, Tibetan opera and
other traditional operas, and masks in the shapes of huge doll heads for children’s games.

With the development of the society, the original functions of many ancient masks have become obsolete. Modern people generally regard masks as historical and cultural relics to be used to understand the culture, ideas and spiritual life of ancient people and to be appreciated and enjoyed for the
aesthetic beauty of their primitiveness and sub-primitiveness in ancient sculpture, painting and craft.

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Chinese language - CIGE 2008 to Promote Culture Boom in Beijing

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CIGE 2008 to Promote Culture Boom in Beijing

As one of the biggest culture event in China, the 5th China International Gallery Exposition (CIGE 2008) will take place in China World Trade Center Exhibition Hall in Beijing from April 24 to 28, to promote "Internationalism, Professionalism and Futurism."

Keiko Moriuchi's "The Kunlun's Peach from the Observation Ship"

This year's CIGE has received applications from over 300 galleries across the world, a record high in its five years of development. Echoing its international aspirations, the exposition's executive committee has clinched final participants from over twenty countries and areas. Eighty percent of
the galleries do not hail from the Chinese mainland. Compared to last year, the proportion of international galleries has increased by twenty percent.

Wang Keping's "Woman"

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Chinese Studies - Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra on Four-city Tour of UK

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Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra on Four-city Tour of UK

Sarah Wu, director general of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, said: "We are proud to sponsor this tour of the United Kingdom by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Since it was established in 1997, the HKCO has been unmatched as a cultural and goodwill envoy for Hong Kong, showcasing our
vibrancy, cultural diversity and achievements."

"These talented musicians have given performances all over the world, bringing the magic and mystique of Chinese classic and contemporary music to new audiences. I hope that this tour will enable them to reach out to make new friends and reach out to new audiences in the United Kingdom," she added.

Editor:Wang Nan

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Learn Mandarin online - Imaginary Space--Jerry Uelsmann Retrospective

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Imaginary Space--Jerry Uelsmann Retrospective

Time: 2008.1.25--2008.2.24

Venue: Guangdong Museum of Art

Introduction: Jerry Uelsmann’s works are different from the photography in our mind. His works presented visually paradoxical and logically could not happen. However, Uelsmann releases us from the limitation of Photography’s imitation by disturbing the fact of surface. “Imaginary
Space--Jerry Uelsmann Retrospective” is the best annotation for his photography art.

Foreword of the exhibition

The American photographer Jerry Uelsmann is widely recognized as one of the senior figures in international photography. He has devoted more than 50 years of his career to making photography. He is a pioneer advocate for ‘Post-Visualization”, breaking with the tradition of conceiving the image
before taking the photography. He regards photography as the collection of materials and considers his work in the dark room to be a continuation of the process of exploration and discovery. His most famous technique is “combination printing,” in which images from two or more negative are
blended on a single print. Even now, when images can be combined and edited quickly using computer software, Uelsmann continues to make his pictures by hand in the darkroom.

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