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Tag: Culture

  • 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.

  • Building critical China expertise

    In a recent article in The Knowledge, Roy Truex, Assistant Professor at Princeton University’s Department of Politics, is quoted as saying, “the vast majority of PhD candidates for Chinese politics are Chinese themselves, and very few are American.” He continues,

    To compete with Beijing, “we must do more than invest in weapons and semiconductors. We must invest in understanding.”

    Roy Truex, quoted in The Washington Post

    Here at Engage with China we are proud to be ahead of the curve in the UK on doing just this. Since 2018, the mission of this charity is to educate young people in the UK about the relevance, rise, innovation, impact, influence and culture of China on the rest of the world through immersive, engaging and fun curriculum enrichment activities, mandarin language learning, summer camps and partnerships. 

    Through fresh knowledge & interactive programmes in the classroom pupils learn about China’s size, culture, modernisation and global links. It does this through China Challenge Days,’ annual, global Model United Nations climate-change Conference, cross-cultural initiatives and our EwC Scholarship Programme.

    Our inaugural cohort of British 16-year old scholars on our EwC Scholarship Programme at Wycombe Abbey School, Changzhou, China, is a critical part of our national infrastructure to attract creative thinkers, build ambassadors and develop global citizens who understand China.

    Whatever one’s opinion of China, it will undoubtedly have a huge impact on all our lives. EwC addresses a huge gap in China capabilities building a pipeline of future ambassadors who understand it better.

    EwC was founded in 2018 by two British educational entrepreneurs who have studied, worked and lived in China over the last 30+ years. To date, the charity has enabled more than 3,500 pupils across the UK to encounter China for themselves.

  • ‘GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES’ SUMMER CAMP IN CHINA

    Date options: 01 – 13 July 2024 or 15 – 27 July 2024

    Age groups: 8 – 17 years

    Building on our previous experience running enriching summer camps in the UK for Chinese children, we are now delighted to present a fabulous opportunity for young people to enjoy a ‘Global Perspectives’ camp in China in July 2024. Calling teachers, parents, grandparents and governors: please share these details to enable young people aged 8-17 to take advantage of the exceptional cultural and STEAM trips and activities on offer, enjoy immersive and engaging learning with bi-lingual teaching staff and leverage the excellent and modern on-site campus facilities for a multitude of sport and music options. Above all, ‘campers’ will enjoy a summer holiday building cultural bridges and opportunities and making friends for life with teenagers from around the world, including China. [Special discount through EwC, see below].

    The camp schedule has so much on offer to delight and inspire. From discovering Chinese tea culture, to learning mandarin, enjoying multiple sporting activities and visits to high tech zones, pupils will encounter many aspects of China’s modernisation, traditions and culture.

    Glbal-perspectives-camp-2024_ewc-20231215Download

    BOOK TODAY via the contact details in the brochure and remember to quote the code HJ2024 to secure your special discounted price through Engage with China. Do tell your friends about this opportunity and why not invite them to come along, too! Do let us know who is going so we can follow their excitement!

    Price: £2,275 excl. air fares, visa and airport transfers in the UK

    In 2023 we founded the Engage with China Scholarship Programme in partnership with Wycombe Abbey School, Changzhou. This is where the summer camps will take place, beside a lake and in this bustling ‘clean energy’ zone in Jiangsu Province. Situated within one hour of the metropolis of Shanghai by high speed rail, the school is within easy reach of other famous and historical cities including Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. Our scholars have settled in really well to their new life and are embracing all that the school has to offer them. You can read more about their life-changing story Golden Ticket opportunity here.

    “The school made my transition seamless. The exceptional teachers, engaging classes, and vibrant community welcomed me with open arms. Learning isn’t just about books; it’s a dynamic experience where active learning is happening. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to embrace a new world.“

    Michael S, EwC Scholar, 2023-2025

    Engage with China aims to build China literacy in UK schools. This summer camp enables young people to travel to China and discover it for themselves through an action-packed itinerary where they will make lifelong memories and friendship groups. Engage with China creates platforms to build cultural bridges; we encourage you to cross this one and open doors to a more global future.

    Want more? If you are GCSE student taking exams in the summer 2024, why not apply for our incredible fully-funded two year A level Engage with China Scholarship programme thanks to our partnership with Wycombe Abbey Schools in China? Applications close on Monday 18 March 2024.