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China in Context is the UK’s first annual festival celebrating writers and writing from and about China. Founded in 2016, the festival is now in it’s second year.
Held at China Exchange, the festival will take place over two weeks, with talks from leading writers, a book fair, hands-on workshops, and cultural experiences. China in Context 2018 will focus on the theme of translation; from translating language, to culture and ideas.
Throughout the festival a dynamic programme of events will offer something for everyone, from literature lovers and language learners, to China aficionados and novices alike.
China in Context will culminate in a vibrant book fair weekend from 15-18 March – extended by an extra day due to its popularity in 2017. With a book fair of over 1000 titles curated by Cypress Books, there will be enough to keep even the most voracious book worm satisfied!
China in Context is organised by China Exchange and Cypress Books. All events and book fair will take place at China Exchange.
Book Fair Weekend (15-18 March)
The book fair weekend will run from 15-18 March – extended by an extra day due to its popularity in 2017.
Showcasing a vast range of books about China from all genres including classical and contemporary literature, Chinese learning materials, children’s books, history and biographies, politics, society and economy, culture, philosophy and religion, medicine and health, and arts and supplies. Immerse yourself in the comfortable and welcoming atmosphere created for all book lovers.
Whether you are Chinese, a committed Sinologist or a curious passerby, come in and spend some time exploring what the book fair has to offer. Perhaps enjoy a cup of tea and let a book lead you on a China-inspired journey in the cosy reading area, or join one of the many activities happening in the building that celebrate writers and writing from and about China.
The book fair is supported by Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, New World Press, Tuttle Publishing, Beijing Language & Culture University Press, CYPI Press, Peking University Press, People’s Education Press, Sinolingua & Sinolingua London.
Industry Day: Chinese Language Teaching in the UK (16 March)
The theme of China in Context this year is Translating China, and translation is closely related to the teaching and learning of Chinese. In recent years, teaching of Chinese in the UK has been flourishing. More and more people are motivated to learn the most widely spoken language in the world. The publication of Chinese textbooks has also attracted great attention from schools teachers, parents and learners.
Our industry day, with the focus on the teaching of Chinese in the UK, invited authors of best-selling textbooks to share their views on teaching Chinese in primary schools, secondary schools and higher education.
Join now for an unprecedented opportunity for professional development, networking with other teachers of Chinese, and discussing the fulfilment and challenges of teaching Chinese in the UK! Please register and let us know you are coming.
Schedule:
- 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Happier Study, Easier Exam — A Simple Solution to GCSE Chinese (By Ranran Du) - 2:15 – 3:30 pm
Ways to Get Your Students Interested in Learning Chinese (By Qi Chen) - 3:45 – 4:45 pm
Business Chinese: 20 Essential Topics (By Yinghong Huang)
Language Day: Learning Chinese (17 March)
- 2:00 – 2:45 pm
Mandarin Taster Language Lesson: Adult
- 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Mandarin Taster Language Lesson: Children
Join our free introductory language workshops and get to know:
- How the phonetic system works
- The useful day-to-day phrases
- The basic elements of Chinese characters
- Most importantly, how to learn the language with fun and efficiency!
*The adult workshop is free, please register to let us know that you are coming.
*This children workshop is free and suitable for children aged 4 and over. Please register to let us know you are coming.
About the teachers:
- Wangzhen Ni
Wangzhen is a native Mandarin speaker. She comes from an applied linguistics background and holds a bachelor’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. She is currently Manager of Guanghwa Bookshop, the leading Chinese bookshop in the UK.
- Xianping Bai
Xianping is an experienced language teacher, book publisher, and a mother of two. She is the founder of the London Reading Club, a community highly passionate about reading and education; she is also currently the Publishing Project Manager of Cypress Books, the Chinese language specialist publisher with over 30 years of expertise in the industry.
Culture Day (18 March)
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Dance of Brushes – Chinese Painting Workshop
In this workshop award-winning art teacher Jianchu Xu will guide you through history and techniques, and introduce you to the beauty of, Chinese calligraphy. - 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Write Like an Artist – Chinese Calligraphy Workshop
In this workshop lead by award-winning art teacher Jianchu Xu, you will discover different types of Chinese painting, from meticulous detail to ink wash painting, from painting landscapes, to birds and flowers.
- 1:45 – 2:45 pm
Stories Told in Chinese Painting
Join art expert Dr Malcolm McNeill, as he unpicks this complex tapestry of words and images. In this talk, Malcolm will help you ‘read’ Chinese art, introduce the most popular tales told in Chinese painting, and explore how visual narratives continue to contribute to Chinese literature into the modern period. - 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Yaji – An Elegant Gathering
Drop in as we re-create this vibrant atmosphere in the 21st Century with a chance to explore this fascinating Chinese tradition through music, calligraphy, painting, tea culture and other artistic mediums.
Author talks, screening, and workshops :
- 5 March 2018 6:30 – 7:30 pm
AN EVENING WITH YAN GELING 严歌苓 - 13 March 2018 6:45 – 8:00 pm
A SIMPLE LIFE WITH ROGER LEE 李恩霖 - 15 March 2018 7:15 – 8:30 pm
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CHINA: WHERE STEEL FORESTS MEET RED EARTH - 17 March 2018 12:00 – 1:30 pm
IN CONVERSATION WITH SU TONG 苏童 - 17 March 2018 1:30 – 2:15 pm
WINNIE M LI – TRANSLATING PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INTO FICTION - 17 March 2018 2:30 – 3:30 pm
XUE XINRAN: 10 YEARS SINCE MISS CHOPSTICKS - 17 March 2018 4:30 – 5:30 pm
THE LEGEND OF JIN YONG 金庸 - 18 March 2018 12:00 – 1:00 pm
SUNDAY LUNCH (WRITING) WITH CHING HE HUANG 黄瀞亿 - 18 March 2018 12:45 – 1:30 pm
REMEMBERING THE CHINESE LABOUR CORPS - 18 March 2018 3:00 – 4:00 pm
FEAST ON POETRY – FREE WRITING WORKSHOP - 17 – 18 March 12:00 – 4:00 pm
KIDS’ CORNER WITH HATCHING DRAGONS
