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Tag: calligraphy

  • Chinese New Year event attracts record crowds

    Worcester’s Chinese New Year event on 18 February attracted more than 1% of the local population with a record crowd that enjoyed a day of free cultural activities and entertainment to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. The event was organised by the Worcestershire Chinese Association and educational charity, Engage with China. The event was hosted at the Museum of Royal Worcester and the Royal Porcelain Works, fittingly on the site of the original world-famous factory of Royal Worcester where porcelain, originally inspired by China, was produced in the city from the 1700s.

    The event’s highlights included an energetic performance of a traditional Dragon Dance by local troupe, Kuidetang Martial arts whose founder, James Rodriguez, said,  

    “It was a privilege to perform in front of our largest crowd ever!” 

    James Rodriguez, Kuidetang Martial Arts, Worcester

    Visitors were also privileged to hear world class musicians as they performed throughout the day, including virtuoso, Guo Yue on the flute and renowned soprano, Wang Chen, (who was honoured as 2023 Chinese Woman of the Year by UK Chinese Women Connect). Other young, local residents, including 5-year-old Chinese language learners and 19-year old Alice Brunker, also sang songs in mandarin.

    H-J Colston-Inge from Engage with China, an educational charity which builds China understanding in UK schools and who acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event, said that, 

    Total visitor numbers were counted as 1,438 on the day. That represents more than 1% of Worcester’s population – an incredible turn-out. Some people came from further afield including Kent, Farnborough and Birmingham. This is indicative of the fact that people are fascinated by China and drawn to experience something of its cultural offering. 

    H-J Colston-Inge, Director – Engage with China

    Frankie Tsang, Chairman of the Worcestershire Chinese Association (WCA), added,

    “This is the 25th year that WCA has organised the celebrations. We are grateful to the support of multiple partners, including Engage with China, the Bransford Trust, Christopher Whitehead Language College and the University of Worcester for making this a true community event enabling a record crowd to engage with China through a variety of activities ranging from calligraphy to tea tasting, martial arts, pottery and blow-painting.”

    Frankie Tsang, Chairman, Worcestershire Chinese Association

    In attendance was VIP, the Lord Lieutenant for Worcestershire, Mrs Beatrice Grant, who, having greeted the crowd by saying “hello” in mandarin, said that, 

    I really do believe that culture matters. It is part of this country’s DNA. Embracing cultural diversity is crucial for fostering a more interconnected and inclusive world

    Mrs Beatrice Grant, Lord Lieutenant for Worcestershire

    One local resident and local Councillor, Hannah Cooper, voiced her delight about the Chinese New Year activities.

    We came last year for the first time and my family have really enjoyed today – even more than last year; there was so much to do. Well done for creating such a successful family event – really wonderful!

    Hannah Cooper, Mum, local resident and local councillor

    H-J Colston-Inge was able to use the occasion to publicise a fully-funded A-level boarding school scholarship programme in China which the charity runs in partnership with Wycombe Abbey Schools.  “What better way to understand China and its culture than to go and study there?” added H-J. Applications are now open for up to 30 lucky pupils with interviews to take place in mid-April.

    To find out more and to apply: 

    Pioneers, ambassadors and global citizens of the future

    Thank you to photographers Lui’s Gallery and Simon Fall-Taylor.

  • ‘Chopsticks Challenge’ unleashes competitive spirit

    Visitors to the fruit-themed Summer Fun Day at the Museum of Royal Worcester on Wednesday 17 August were delighted to compete in the ‘Chopsticks Challenge’ organised by Engage with China, one of the participating exhibitors. Concentration, dexterity, and calmness under pressure were three of the main skills required of visitors as they attempted to achieve the highest score of picking up and transferring raisins from one bowl to another.  People of all ages, including grandparents and children as young as six years old, gave it their best go, with some being taught how to use chopsticks for the very first time.

    Winner, George White, aged 12, (right)

    The winner in the young category, was George White, who goes to school in Worcester. His Mum, Lorraine said, “We all had a lovely time doing the activities. The ladies at the fruit sketching and Cheese tables were especially engaging with the children, which made all the difference.” Lucy Wicks, who teaches Chinese at Didcot Girls School in Oxfordshire, showed off her mastery by almost emptying the contents of her raisin bowl in the allotted 30 seconds. Her advantage was clear when she explained that, “I spent time in China observing how Chinese people eat and they can really shovel the food in efficiently. I learnt to copy that.”

    “Learning about China through an object as simple as chopsticks is an easy access point to learning about  China’s culture, history and its impact on the rest of the world. H-J Colston-Inge, who delivered the session, and Director of Engage with China,” said. “We teach young people in schools about how much we as a nation, have wanted from China over centuries – including tea, porcelain, chinoiserie – and how its innovation has inspired our culture, traditions, tastes and fashion. Being able to immerse the visitors, by virtue of being physically in the midst of the porcelain collection at the Museum, and to talk about our huge cultural links with China, is both compelling and fascinating. It’s a brilliant way to open eyes to a whole new world, build curiosity and creativity and to see how China has been a driver of that over many centuries.” 

    Other fruit-themed activities were on offer from Engage with China. Visitors learnt about motifs in Chinese art and their hidden symbolism as well as how to pronounce and write the Chinese characters, for the word ‘fruit.’ 

    Visitors tried out calligraphy for themselves surrounded by the porcelain collection

    “This calligraphy has been so wonderful and calming,” said Rachel Needham, an attentive grandmother giving her granddaughter a great day out. “It’s been so good for the adults, too.” 

    Visitors were also able to be develop their artistic skills making their own fruity books, learning from former Royal Worcester expert artist how to paint onto porcelain and playing with words and story with the Rhianna Levi, Poet Laureate. 

    Director, H-J Colston-Inge, teaches a young person how to use chopsticks

    Engage with China is delighted to be a new partner of the Museum of Royal Worcester to develop links and outreach both in the community and beyond.