The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at Hampstead Theatre

Time Out has a grt ticket offer for this 4 stars reviewed show.

Tickets are only £14.50 for any perfs 7-17 May, but must be booked by midnight Thurs 9th May

https://uk-offers.timeout.com/deals/the-arrest-of-ai-weiwei#utm

2013 Chinese Visual Festivalat King’s College London
May 8th – June 12th.

The festival of film, art, music and more includes:

· 4 prominent directors in attendance from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
· Art exhibition and artist talk, with Chinese artist in attendance
· 29 films screened, including 1 world premiere and 26 UK premieres
· Concert performances from Chinese and British musicians
· 2 Panel Discussions, 1 round table and 1 public lecture with key industry figures and academics

Meridian Society members are entitled to discounted tickets but must take their membership cards with them as proof.

For more information: http://www.chinesevisualfestival.org

Art, films and more from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Featuring a wide range of creative and entertaining content, the festival presents the reality of the Chinese speaking world to global audiences through imaginative conversations between moving images and art.

Film Director Wu Wuna

For 2013, the festival is delighted to be working with King’s Cultural Institute to present Objects of Fantasy, the first solo exhibition for Chinese artist Wang Yuyang, at the Inigo Rooms, Somerset House East Wing from 8th May to 12th June.

The festival is thrilled to be welcoming four prestigious documentary film makers: Zhou Hao from Mainland China, Wu Wuna from Taiwan and Tammy Cheung and Wong Yee Mei from Hong Kong.

The works of the directors form part of a fascinating program of 29 films, almost all UK premieres, covering a wide range of topics from modern relationships through to politics, the environment and more.

This year, the festival has selected its first ever animations and fiction film, offering audiences enhanced variety.

This year we are very honoured to welcome back the renowned Pipa musician Wang Ting, who will be holding a solo concert, as well as a once in a lifetime collaborative show with top London jazz pianist Chris Lee

This year, Chinese Visual Festival, in association with our partner and co-hosts King's College London, is delighted to be featuring a program of free talks and symposiums that allow audiences to deepen their understanding of our films and the issues they deal with.

Performing China on the Global Stage: People, Society and Culture
寰球舞台演出中国：人、社会与文化
An International Symposium 26 & 27 March 2013
University of Leeds

‘Performing China on the Global Stage’, a practice –led research network with its hub in Leeds, announces a two-day international symposium on 26 and 27 March 2013.
The symposium will include both conventional research seminars and public events of workshops and interactive presentations. Scholars and practitioners attending the symposium are from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, North America, the UK and other European countries.

Free Lecture 2012, organised by Meridian Chinese StudiesAncient Chinese Wisdom At Work In Finance
Speaker: Aidyn Kussainov

The lecture will be conducted in English
Date &time: Thursday 22 November 2012
1) Lecture 7.00pm-7.45pm ; 2) Q&A 7.45pm-8.45pm
Venue: St Anne's Church Soho, 5 Dean Street, London W1

Financial markets are notoriously unpredictable. They are said to be driven by
greed and fear. Yet most modern macroeconomic models do not take into
account human emotion and the fact that very little changes in human nature. In
a world that measures everything in nano-seconds and operates on a 24/7 basis,
Chinese wisdom distilled through the centuries can offer surprising insights, and
reassure that what we are going through has all been experienced before. In this
lecture, we will look at some of classic "rules" of financial markets, and what
they have in common with the Chinese classics.

As the capability of the venue is 75, we would like to give the priority to some guests who are working in the financial area in the U.K. and Mecs' current students & teachers.
Email: mecs@meridiandao.co.uk
Mobile 07772 908 988 landline 0208374 0682
The deadline for receiving apply: 31 October 2012

China From China

2nd Nov 2012 National Maritime Museum, London

A conference for China ceramic and porcelain conservators, makers, collectors, specialists, curators and enthusiasts presented by China Culture Connect and Artability
Specialist speakers combine the history and trade of ceramics in China including the faking of historic and contemporary Qing Imperial porcelain in the C19th and C20th , a first hand review of the Fitzwilliam Kangxi vase restoration project and demonstration of practical issues of conservation and preservation in museum collections.

Information and tickets contact artability.art@googlemail.com
Chinaculture.connect@gmail.com
Tel: +44(0)2086923633 / +44(0)7921995975

Online booking
http://www.artability-art.com/tickets-2/

Speakers include:

Penny Bendall - Fitzwilliam Museum
Humphrey Hui -Min Qiu Society Hong Kong
Kate Newnham- Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Amy Miller – National Maritime Museum
Prof. Chunming Yu -Nanchang Museum and University
Dr. Haiyan Huang & Liaochuan Mu - Guangzhou Folk Art Museum

Demonstration: Using different adhesives for porcelain conservation- Penny Bendall
Documentary Film:

Full Ticket £105 Student Ticket £75 <<<< Early Bird Full Ticket £89 (until 15 Oct)
Museum Association/NADFAS/Oriental Ceramic Society member £85
-"Bring A Friend/Colleague" Discount book 2 tickets together £75 each ticket

>>> 6 Great speakers and practical demonstrations
>>> Include guided tour to the NMM Exhibitions, lunch, and refreshments

Chinese Visual Festival Screening at Curzon Soho DocDays 12th September

Chinese Visual Festival is proud to announce a special screening of the critically acclaimed documentaries Brave Father and Where I Should Go at the Curzon cinema in Soho, London on Wednesday 12th September at 6:10pm. The event is being held in association with the Curzon's regular DocDays program, and will include a Q&A session with special guests. Tickets are available now from the Curzon website:

http://www.curzoncinemas.com/events/details/1361/docdays-brave-father--where-should-i- go-plus-panel-discussion/

Brave Father and Where I Should Go were directed by Li Junhu, a promising young film maker who works both on independent documentaries and at television stations in China. The award winning films proved extremely popular at the Chinese Visual Festival, and have been widely praised for their humanistic portrayals of parents sacrificing all for their children. Tackling issues of migration, money and modernity, the two offer a rare glimpse of real life in China, depicting ordinary people making difficult choices as they try to secure a future in the fast changing Chinese society.
Brave Father charts several years the life of Han Peiyin, a labourer who relocated from his rural home to work in the city of Xi'an to make money to pay for his son Shengli to go to university. The moving film follows Han as he works tirelessly to support Shengli, unwavering in his dedication to push him forward and help him to get the education he believes will save him from poverty. However, things do not work out as planned, and despite the best efforts of father and son, Shengli struggles to find a job, thwarted by the harsh realities of the modern Chinese economy.

Where I Should Go deals with similar themes, though this time from the perspective of mothers, revolving around the stories of two women and their families, who have migrated from rural villages to the big city in an attempt to achieve an education and better lives for their children. Compassionate and involving, the film never offers easy answers, Li Junhu conveying the human cost and confusion of the unstoppable spread of modernisation.

For more details on the films and Chinese Visual Festival (CVF), please visit our website:

www.chinesevisualfestival.org

Chinese Visual Festival is a leading UK Chinese cultural event showcasing independent Chinese films, contemporary art, music and more. With an annual event and screening sessions in London, a UK touring program and international expansion planned, Chinese Visual Festival presents Chinese reality to overseas audiences from the refreshing perspective of conversations between moving images and art.

Discounted ticket price of £5 to each screening offered exclusively to Meridian Society members (but members must show their membership card at the door).

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF FULL SCHEDULE

Aesthetic difference between Eastern and Western dance Demonstration and talk
By：Wen-Chun Tang

Date: Saturday 18th February, 2012, 14:00 to 17:30
Time: 14:00 to 15:30
Venue: Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, 106 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NL The Nearest Tube Station: Green Park, Exit Piccadilly North side, Turn Right Then Walk About 2 Minutes.
Contact: Kathy Hall 07711 654 663；Sherry Kuei 0207 4356087；Liangwei zhu 07766 655168

Exploring from beauty, we tap into creation of dance, dance styles and practical exercise sharing the different elements of Chinese and Western dance training.

The Organizer: UK Research and Development Centre for Chinese Traditional Culture
Co-Organizers: London Jing Kun Opera Association;
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology；
Danos & Haley

Contact: Kathy Hall 07711 654 663；Sherry Kuei 0207 4356087；Liangwei zhu 07766 655168

Chinese woodblock print exhibitionm

Date: Sat 28th January - Sat 3rd March
Time: 12 - 4 pm
Venue: Arthur Probsthain bookshop, 41 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3PE (opposite front of British Museum

To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, Authur Prosbsthain bookshop are opening an exhibition of Chinese woodblock prints by two outstanding contemporary Chinese artists, Ding Jitang (Huxian County, Xi'an) and Yu Chengyou, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province).

In addition, they will be displaying a special collection of books on China and traditional and contemporary literature published in China.

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
White
UK PREMIERE

Sadler's Wells
Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 November 2011
Tickets £10 - £36
Ticket office: 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com

Internationally renowned for the virtuosity of its dancers, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan presents the UK premiere of White from Wednesday 9 - Saturday 12 November. Founded in 1973 by choreographer Lin Hwai-min, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan was the first contemporary dance company in any Chinese speaking community. Cloud Gate Dance Theatre has grown to become a leading force in Asian contemporary dance, performing to critical acclaim all over the world. The company's first visit to Sadler's Wells since 2008 immediately follows a US tour taking place throughout October and a headline performance at Dublin Dance Festival earlier in 2011. Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan's rich repertoire has its roots in Asian myths, folklore, and aesthetics, whilst maintaining a contemporary and universal perspective. The company is made up of 24 dancers whose training includes chi kung, meditation, internal martial arts, modern dance, ballet, and calligraphy.

For the UK premiere of White 19 dancers perform on stage. The work is divided into three distinct parts - each part presenting a different type of 'white'. Set to music by Japanese composer Atsuhiko Gondai, The Bowed Piano Ensemble founder Stephen Scott and percussionist composer Alex Cline, light and shadow is used to spectacular effect as the performers are transformed into moving silhouettes.

One of Taiwan's most prominent cultural organisations, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre consistently works to serve the public, using its Cloud Gate 2 project, founded in 1999, to foster the talent of young choreographers and deliver education and outreach programmes. With its urbane, lively, and witty works, Cloud Gate 2 has received international invitations and will soon tour to Hong Kong this October and the US in early 2012.

Cloud Gate is currently going through a major transformation. After a blaze destroyed Cloud Gate studio in 2008, the company is planning to build a permanent new home - Cloud Gate Tamsui Centre - in New Taipei City. The Centre, aiming to provide art service to the public, is expected to be opened in 2015. This will be the first centre of cultural industry jointly established by both public and private funding in Taiwan. Such is the standing of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in its own country that a designated 'Cloud Gate Day' takes place in Taipei City each year.

TAO Dance Theatre - 2 & Weight x 3
UK PREMIERE

Lilian Baylis Studio
Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 November
Tickets: £15
Ticket Office 0844 412 4300 www.sadlerswells.com

As part of Autumn 2011's Out of Asia season, Sadler's Wells presents the UK debut of China's TAO Dance Theatre on Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 November. Founded in 2008, TAO Dance Theatre has performed in every modern dance festival throughout China and is quickly emerging on the international dance scene, with the company's US debut taking place in June 2011 as part of a residency at the American Dance Festival. The Sadler's Wells performances mark the culmination of the company's 2011 world tour.

In the Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler's Wells, TAO Dance Theatre presents a double bill which includes the company's latest work 2, a duet performed by Artistic Director Tao Ye and dancer Duan Ni. Composer Xiao He has used recordings of the company's conversations during rehearsal and daily life to develop the score. The resulting performance is both hypnotic and thought provoking as minimalistic movements develop into virtuosic patterns, exploring the idea of two souls in conversation. 2 is a co-commission for the Singapore Arts Festival 2011, NorrlandsOperan, and Dansmakers Amsterdam.

The second work, Weight x 3, is a triptych of pieces concerned with perceptions of physical practice, performed to the music of Steve Reich. Choreographer Tao Ye explores the idea that people have become disconnected from the body's creative abilities, and this work is part of his mission to reconnect, through corporeal research, with a sense of self and identity.

Artistic Director and company founder Tao Ye is a graduate of the Chongqing Dance School in Chongqing, China and began his career with the Shanghai Army Song and Dance Ensemble before performing with Jin Xing Dance Theatre and Beijing Modern Dance Company. Seeking to stand out from other Chinese choreographers, Tao Ye founded TAO Dance Theatre in 2008.

Alongside Tao Ye, TAO Dance Theatre comprises dancer Wang Hao, a specialist in Mongolian folk dance and graduate of the Central University of Nationalities Dance Academy and a third dancer, Duan Ni, who returned to China to work exclusively with Tao Ye after performing with Shen Wei Dance Arts in the US and Akram Khan Company in the UK. No longer distracted by the lure of living abroad, the three artists focus all their time and energy on developing work. They feel their work sets them apart from other Chinese contemporary dance through their experimentations with minimalism and investigations of musical, special and physical interaction.

The Art of Kunqu Opera –Talk

Demonstration and performance (＂传统昆曲演艺讲座 ＂), by Kathy Hall, presented by UK Research and Development Centre for Chinese Traditional Culture (CTC) 英国中华传统文化研究院, assisted by London Jing Kun Opera Association.

Date: Sunday 11th Dec
Time: 2.00 pm –3.30 pm
Admission: Free
Enquiries and booking for free seats:
07711 654 663 (Kathy)
Venue: Limkokwing University of Creative Technology,
106 Piccadilly,
London W1J 7 NL
Nearest tube: Green Park

The venue is not far from the Embassy of Japan on the same side of the road. Please arrive by 1.45 pm.

BRITAIN IN A DAY - WORKSHOP
A film about you and made by you - BBC nationwide project

Date: 10.30am-2.30pm, Sunday 6th November, 2011
Venue: Room B104, Brunei Gallery, SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
http://www.soas.ac.uk/visitors/location/maps
(Light refreshments will be served.)

On Saturday 12th November 2011, the BBC is inviting people around Britain to take part in an historic film project called BRITAIN IN A DAY and help build a self-portrait of the nation. The idea is inspired by Life in a Day, Ridley Scott's highly acclaimed documentary featuring stories from all corners of the world.

For BRITAIN IN A DAY, participants are being asked to film stories about themselves using simple cameras or mobile phones and to upload them on YouTube. A selection of the best stories will be edited by Scott Free Productions into a feature-length documentary to be screened in cinemas and on BBC Two in Spring 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Free workshops are being run by Rosa Productions around the country to encourage people to take part. Led by a professional TV trainer, they will:
   -  Provide information on the project;
   -  Discuss story ideas and story-telling methods;
   -  Give tips on basic camera technique.

To reflect the diversity of British society today, the BBC want members of the Chinese community to be involved, to make personal films about life, identity, community, work, leisure, etc. A special workshop has been organised in London by The Meridian Society for anyone of Chinese origin.

Individuals and groups of all ages and all walks of life are welcome to take part and no prior knowledge of filming is required. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a momentous event and let viewers share your thoughts and experiences.

TO BOOK PLACES:
If you wish to attend this workshop, please email us at themeridiansociety@gmail.com Numbers are limited and places are strictly on a first come, first served basis. So please make sure you book immediately.

For further information on the project, please go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/britaininaday
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/oct/04/bbc-project-britain-one-day

Chinese Visual Festival 2011
--Lost in Transformation

Art exhibition: Lost in Transformation
Date: 30 June - 15 July (Mon - Sat); Admission free
Venue: 17 Dorset Square, Westminster NW1

ARTISTS' TALK: MEETING ADRIAN FISK AND ISPEAK CHINA
5 JULY 7-8PM, CHARING CROSS LIBRARY, 4 CHARING CROSS ROAD, LEICESTER SQUARE, WC2H 0BJ

SPECIAL SCREENING EVENT, 7.00PM 07.07.2011 LONDON CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE FOR TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, K2 BUILDING, KEYWORTH STREET, LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY, SE1 6NG

Click here for more info

With the 90th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China on 1st July this is time to take stock of life in China. Though a world superpower its people and artists are still in transition and this important festival of documentary film and photo art shows the ways this incredible nation are defining themselves.
The Chinese Visual Festival is a twin art festival dedicated to promoting Chinese independent documentary making partnering 10 documentaries shown at Birkbeck College and London Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine with a video art and photographic exhibition at 17 Dorset Square, Marylebone.
Both exhibition and film tell untold stories with unknown faces looking at the life of children, economic recession, industrial work and the Chinese love of Shakespeare, featuring a generation who feel Lost in Transformation. The exhibition joins the documentary films in presenting unique perspective and the images and videos talk back to the documentaries in agreeing or disagreeing voices.

http://chinesevisualfestival.org

BALLOT BOX CHINA

Dr Kerry Brown will be giving a talk on grassroots democracy, local elections and popular accountability in China today.

Date: Friday 1st July 2011
Speaker: Dr Kerry BrownTime: 6:30pm-8pm
Venue: Room V122, Vernon Square, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Vernon Square Campus, Penton Rise, London, WC1X 9EW
Click here for Google Map Direction
(Please note: venue is at branch campus, not the main campus at Russell Square)
Transport: The nearest tube station is King's Cross
Ticket: Meridian Society & SACU Members: free, non-members £5 donation, pay at door

Dr Kerry Brown is Head of the Asia Programme at Chatham House. Previous publications include: Friends and Enemies: The Past, Present and Future in China (2009). Struggling Giant: China in the 21st Century (2007). He leads the Europe China Research and Advise Network (ECRAN), a 3-year project started in January, 2011. Kerry is Research Associate at the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS. He was previously in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, working in the China section in London, and as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing, 2000 to 2003. Kerry studied at Leeds University, Cambridge University, SOAS and in Inner Mongolia. This Lecture is a joint events hosted by SOAS Chinese Scolar and Student Society (CSSA) and The Meridian Society.

VISIT TO HERONS BONSAI

Date: Sunday 4th September 2011
Venue: Herons Bonsai, Newchapel, Surrey
Transport: The nearest train station is Lingfield, (Victoria –East Grinstead line).
Cost: Adults: members of TMS/SACU £20, non-members £25
Children: under 8 years , FREE, 8 – 14 years £10. Above this age: adult rate applies

Please book in advance.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Chinese Season at the Asian Music Circuit

The Asian Music Circuit (AMC) is delighted to unveil a centrepiece event of its twentieth anniversary year (1991 – 2011): a whole season of events celebrating the culture of China, presented in association with the London Jing Kun Opera Association.

The AMC's Chinese Season takes place across June and July. Events include…

Temporary exhibition: 'Enter Stage Right: Costumes from the Beijing Opera' at the Museum of Asian Music in London. www.amc.org.uk/asian-music-tour/enter-stage-right

Course: Guzheng (Chinese harp) www.amc.org.uk/asian-music-education/guzheng-course-zhu-xiaomeng

Course: Kunqu Opera 'Dan' Voice and Movements www.amc.org.uk/asian-music-education/kunqu-opera-dan-voice-and-movements-course

Workshop: Chinese Calligraphy www.amc.org.uk/asian-music-education/chinese-calligraphy-workshop-ruijun-hu

Course: Dizi (Chinese bamboo flute) www.amc.org.uk/asian-music-education/dizi-chinese-bamboo-flute-course-ruijin-hu

Concert: An Evening of Beijing and Kunqu Opera (with subtitles in English and Chinese) www.amc.org.uk/asian-music-concerts/evening-beijing-and-kunqu-opera

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Media Freedom in China and the Role of International Broadcasters

Language - Mandarin Chinese

Time and Date: June 3, 2011 (Friday) at 1400-1730PM
Venue: Chatham: House, 10 St James's Square, London SW1Y 4LE

Participants
Raymond Li, Head of BBC Chinese
Dr Kerry Brown, Head, Asia Programme, Chatham House
Mr Zhang Jing, Managing editor, East Asia and Pacific Division, Voice of America
Madeline Earp, Senior Researcher, Asia Programme, Committee to Protect Journalists, New York
Professor Zhang Xiaoling, School of Contemporary Chinese Studies, University of Nottingham
Professor Hugo de Burgh, Director, China Media Centre, University of Westminster
Professor Yu Ligong, Taiwan Shih Hsin University.

To book a place contact The Meridian Society

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

For more details please click here

Date: Sunday, 17th, April 2011
Venue: Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, Canary Wharf, London E14 4AL.
Transport: By DLR: West India Quay. By DLR: West India Quay. By Bus: D3, D7, D8, 277, N50, D6, 15, 115, 135.
Cost: Entry is free, but seats are limited. so please ensure you book early as places will be given out on a first come, first served basis. You will receive confirmation of your booking.

For more details please click here

Kunqu Opera Dan Voice and movement course

Date: 25 & 26 June 2011 For more details please click here

London Jing Kun Opera Association
Beijing and Kunqu Opera Gala

Date: 7th April 2011
Venue: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Thornhaugh St,
Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG

For more details please click here

The Diamond Sutra: The Story of the World's Earliest Dated Printed Book by Dr Frances Wood
金剛般若波羅蜜多經, 世界上最早的印刷書

Date: Tuesday, 8th March, 2011
Venue: Vernon Square, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Penton Rise, London, WC1X 9EW (Please note: venue is at branch campus, not main campus) Map
Transport: The nearest tube station is King's Cross
Time: 6.30 pm – pre-talk tea (in Room V201), 7– 8 pm talk (in Room V211)
Cost: Meridian Society members: free; non-members’ donation: £5, pay at door

Please book in advance.

Dr Frances Wood, head of the Chinese collection at the British Library, will talk about the subject of her latest book, The Diamond Sutra: The Story of the World's Earliest Dated Printed Book.  For more details please click here

The Sound of Tea
A Performance Fusing Music & the Chinese Tea Ceremony

Date: Friday 11th February 2011
Venue: Lauderdale House
Time: Doors open at 19:00 event starts at 19:30 - 21:00 (20 mins interval)
Cost: £8.00 for Meridian Society members
£12 (£10 concs) book online in advance and £15 (£12 concs) on the door for non-members

Countertenor and Chinese lutenist, Cheng-Ying Chuang is joined by Tea Artisan, Audrey Sun for an evening that explores a cultural and inspirational take on music and tea. Traditional yet creative, the event embarks on a journey of the tea ceremony with traditional Chinese folk music and the contemporary dialogue between the two that will refresh your senses. The performance is inspired by Chinese tea culture and will convey important elements within this culture. This includes the local culture where the tea is grown and produced, the terroir and the flavour of the teas. The performance will concentrate on three distinctly different types of tea - Jasmine tea, Tie Guan Yin and Puer tea – all of which are unique in their production, taste, aroma and look.

For more details please click here

CHINESE NEW YEAR LUNCH & FILM

The Meridian Society is organising a lunch and film show ('The Go Master') to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit. We hope you will be able to join us to start the New Year on a festive note. The lunch and the film show may be booked together or just lunch. The film will be introduced by Luke Robinson, film lecturer at Nottingham University.

Date: Saturday 12th February 2011.

The timetable for this event is as follows:

11.45 a.m. - meet at restaurant
[There will be a paying bar throughout. We will be holding a raffle. If anyone would like to donate a prize, please contact our administrator on: themeridiansociety@gmail.com]
12.00 a.m. - start of meal
2.00 p.m. - meal concludes
Make own way to The National Film Theatre
2.45 p.m. - film showing

'The Go Master' [ Wu Qingyuan ] China 2006. Directed by Tian Zhuangzhuang, with Chen Chang, Sylvia Chang, Akira Emoto. 104 min. In Mandarin with English subtitles.

For more details please click here

To download booking form please click here

Screening of Thunderstorm by Cao Yu & Photographic Exhibition with Introduction by Dr Li Ruru.

Date: Thursday 10 February 2011
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: The Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS),
University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H OXG (MAP)

The event is organised by the Cao Yu Centenary in Britain Committee and entry is free. This year marks the centenary of the birth of Cao Yu (曹禺 1910-1996), often regarded as China's most important playwright of the 20th century. It will be celebrated by a screening of Thunderstorm (雷雨 Leiyu), his most famous work, and a photographic exhibition (please see attachment), with a special introduction to Cao Yu, his life and works, by Dr Li Ruru, stepdaughter of the playwright and presently Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Leeds. Please note: Dr Li will be giving a special talk to The Meridian Society later in the year on Cao Yu and the significance of his works in the development of modern Chinese literature.

For more information please click here

World Cities: Beijing - V&A Museum

Date: Saturday 5 February
Time: 3.30-16.30
Venue: Seminar Room One, Sackler Centre, V&A Museum
Ticket Price: Seminar Room One, Sackler Centre, V&A Museum

Discover an epic city full of wonders and delights. Learn about theatre and story-telling in Beijing and the splendour of the Qing Dynasty Imperial Court. Discuss Chinese film history and take away new ideas for exploring the arts and culture of modern Beijing today.

For more details please click here

For more details please click here

Year End Event - Talk, Exhibition and Meal

The Meridian Society is organising a special visit to the above exhibition, which is being held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. We are combining this visit with a Chinese meal afterwards in Chinatown.

For more details please click here

Remembering Yang Xianyi (1915-2009)

Date: 20th November 2010
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue: Khalili Lecture Theatre at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Thornhaugh St. next to Russell Square, London WC1B 3PE,
Transport: The nearest station is Russell Square Underground

On the first anniversary of Yang Xianyi's death, the Meridian Society, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of SOAS and the Royal Asiatic Society jointly invite you to participate in a celebration of his life.

For more details please click here

YANG ZHOU PHOTOGRAPHS

If you came to the recent dinner debate you might have seen the photographic exhibition by Yang Zhou. If you missed them or would like another look here's a link to her site

http://www.zyfotos.com/Home.aspx

Upcoming events: Private View: The Tiger in Asian Art

DATE: 5 November 18.30
TO BOOK: asiahouse.org/net

MERIDIAN SOCIETY - ANNUAL LECTURE

For more details please click here

To see an article about the lecture on the DimSum website please click here

MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL - DINNER DEBATE
VIDEO NOW ONLINE

To watch a short video of the debate, please click here

Chinese Traditional Cross-talk By He Yunwei, Li Jing

What is Xiang Sheng？
XiangSheng (cross talk) is a traditional Chinese comedic performance in the form of a dialogue or, much less often, a monologue or, even less frequently, a multi-player talk show. The language, rich in puns and allusions, is used in a rapid, bantering style. Xiangsheng is one of China's foremost performing arts.

Modern xiangsheng is made up of four skills - speaking (说), imitating (学), teasing (逗), and singing (唱).

For more details http://www.0degree.com/

MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL - DINNER DEBATE
15th September

The Motion "This House believes that the destruction of China's traditional built environment in the name of modernisation is an unjustifiable sacrifice."

For more details see EVENTS page or, please click here

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY COURSE

The Meridian Society is pleased to announce that we will be holding a Chinese Calligraphy course starting this October lasting three terms. This will be under the tuition of Mr Kam Sang Law who gave a talk on the subject in July at SOAS. For more details see, Education page

An exhibition of Traditional Chinese Art By Members of
Date: 8th - 19th September. 2010 - House open 12 - 5pm
Venue: Burgh house,New End Square, London NW3  1

Beyond the Arch - Multimedia Dance Show
Come along to share diverse true stories happening in the oldest Chinese community in Europe.

Date: 1pm & 3pm, Saturday 4th September 2010
Venue: World Museum Liverpool - William Brown Street, L3 8EN

China Pearl would like to invite you to 'Beyond the Arch' multimedia dance show, a new dance commission piece which tells the stories of Chinese people in Liverpool of different generations and backgrounds through films and live dance performances.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD POSTER

For more details , http://www.myspace.com/chinapearluk

GOLD MOUNTAIN
A play written by David Yip & Kevin Wong

Venue: Unity Theatre, Liverpool
Dates: Wed 6th to Sat 16th October

For more details , http://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

For adults 16hours Learn Mandarin Chinese - Tuition free!

Meridian Chinese Studies is offering Free Tuition Mandarin Classes for complete beginners.

Course details
Duration of course: 8 weeks for 16 hours
Start dates: 4thAug; 1stSep; 29th Sep; 27th Oct, and each one lasts 8 weeks.
Class time: 6:45 - 8:45pm on Wednesdays
Venue: Camden Chinese Community Centre, 9 Tavistock Place London, WC1H 9SN
Class size: 15 students maximum
Teachers: Highly qualified and native Mandarin speakers
Assistant: supporting the main teacher
Fees: Meridian Chinese Studies Tuition is FREE of charge.
Charge fee: £24 for Chinese tea & snacks in each class for 8 weeks. London textbook.
Total of charge £34.
Eligibility: an interview is required.
Email: mecs@meridiandao.co.uk
To book a place on this course, please contact Meridian Chinese Studies:
mecs@meridiandao.co.uk
Tel: 07772-908 088 / 020 8374 06

Chinese from Bengal - NOW IN ENFIELD

Date: 7th - 25th July
Venue: Forty Hall, Enfield
Transport: From North - Turkey Street and 20 minute walk. From Central London - Enfield Town, Enfield Chase or Southbury and 191 bus.

After a successful tour of Bromley and Richmond museums, our display of photographs and memorabilia, together with a DVD of oral histories recounting the history and experiences of the Chinese from Bengal, have now reached their third stop in Forty Hall, Enfield. This is a listed building set in beautiful grounds and has a tea-house, so it's an ideal day's outing for the whole family. Entry is free.

Summer Tour - Revised dates

The Poets' Trail - Shanghai and the Water-towns of South-east China

A number of people interested in our tour to China this summer have expressed concern that the weather may be too hot in August. As a result, we have decided to postpone the tour dates to 18th to 28th September, when temperatures will be very comfortable.

This will mean that we will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival (aka Moon Festival) on the banks of the beautiful Lake Tai in Wuxi - a highlight not to be missed!

For further information on the itinerary and booking details, please click here

The new deadline for booking is now 15th July.

For those who missed our pre-tour talk in June, you will have another chance to find out about the tour at our talk on Calligraphy this Friday 2nd June at 6.30pm at SOAS

Date: Saturday 26th 2010
Venue: Museum of Richmond, 2nd Floor, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP
Transport: The nearest station is Richmond, National Rail, District Line and London Overgound.

Explore the unique and hidden memories of the Chinese from Bengal, whose experience of persecution during the Sino-Indian Border Conflict in 1962 saw them ousted from India and settle and rebuild their lives in the UK.

To enquire about or book onto the workshop, please call Phillippa Heath on 020 8332 1141
or e-mail mor.education@btconnect.com

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD WORD FILE

Date: 22nd June - 3rd July 2010
Venue: Museum of Richmond, 2nd Floor, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP
Transport: The nearest station is Richmond, National Rail, District Line and London Overgound

The Chinese from Bengal", an oral history project by The Meridian Society made possible with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is currently on show at the Museum of Richmond, from 22nd June to 3rd July. You can see exhibits of photos and memorabilia and watch a DVD of people's recollections about India and how they came over to Britain in the 1960s.

Date: Sunday 27th June 2010
Venue: London Regatta Centre, Royal Albert Docks, London E16
Transport: The nearest tube stations are Royal Albert or Beckton Park on the Docklands Light Railway

This annual event is being held this year on Sunday 27th June. The Meridian Society is pleased to announce that, once again, we will be taking part. Regrettably, we will not be entering a crew for the boat race but we will be having a stall. At this stall we will be offering Chinese calligraphy by Mr Kam Sang Law, selling our T-shirts and offering stilt-walking lessons under the supervision of trained instructors.

In addition to the boat races there will be many other stalls representing both commercial and not-for-profit organisations, as well as food and drink stands. There will be music and other entertainment throughout the day. This promises to be a fun day out for all ages, so we hope that you will come along, give us your support and have an enjoyable day.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A FILM OF LAST YEARS EVENT

Pre-tour talk 2 - Chinese Calligraphy - Friday 2nd July

The Meridian Society is hosting a talk on Chinese Calligraphy. In the talk Mr Kam Lang Law will be introducing the characteristics of the main Chinese calligraphy scripts, with special mention of the’ Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection’, which is regarded as the most important examples of the running script in Chinese calligraphic history. The Orchid Pavilion (Lanting) is featured on our forthcoming tour of China, so this will be of particular interest to intending participants.

More Details CLICK HERE

VACANCY FOR PART-TIME ADMINISTRATOR
The Meridian Society is seeking to appoint a part-time administrator to replace the present incumbent, Wei Wei, who is returning to China.
The post will be vacant from late September 2010.
More Details CLICK HERE

Forthcoming events at the British Museum
All events are free.

1. Printed images in China from the 8th - 21st centuries.
Venue: room 90 & 91.
Date: 6th May - 5th September.

2. A HISTORY OF THE WORLD INTRODUCTIONS. Introduction to the Admonitions Scroll a talk given by Clarissa von Spee of the British Museum, explores how this 8th century copy of the earliest and finest painting attributed to Gu Kaizhi helped to cultivate the artist's legendary reputation. Venue: Stevenson Lecture Theatre Date: Friday 11th June @ 1315 hrs. Booking advised  CLICK HERE

3. Chinese Prints in the century of Revolution.
A gallery talk by Mary Ginsberg.
Venue: Gallery 91
Date: Tuesday 01 June @ 1315 hrs
More Details CLICK HERE

4. Sir Percival David's Chinese ceremaics collection. A gallery talk by Jessica Harrison Hall. Venue: Gallery 95 Date: Wednesday 02 June @ 1315 hrs. More Details CLICK HERE

5. Ming Ceremaics: a renaissance at Jingdezhen.
A gallery talk by Jessica Harrison Hall.
Venue: Gallery 33
Date: Thursday 24th June @ 1315 hrs.
More Details CLICK HERE

To all members of The Meridian Society:
The 2010 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The Meridian Society will take place as follows:

Date: Saturday 15th May 2010
Time: 11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Venue: Room B102, Brunei Gallery, SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG
(Brunei Gallery is opposite the main building of SOAS.)

We are holding our AGM at the same time as our affiliated society SACU (Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding) is holding theirs. We have, therefore, arranged a talk and film-show to follow the AGM. (see details on the notice below). We can also arrange for a lunch-box to be provided. These events are separate and are elective. If you wish to attend only the AGM then please feel free to do so. Whichever the case, we hope you will come along and take part in the governance of the society, meet the directors and fellow members, and perhaps enjoy the events we have arranged after the AGM.

You are welcome to bring friends to The Meridian Society & SACU Joint Event as it is open to all.

Click here for full information.

Booking now for China Tour 2010
The Poets' Trail !
(Shanghai and Water Towns of South-east China)

We are very pleased to present the Meridian Society annual China tour for 2010 -- "The Poets' Trail". The fantastic 11 days/10 nights tour will cover the most beautiful scenes of south-east China.

Please click Here for itinerary, booking info, method of payment, introduction of attractions etc.

Related talks

A. We will be holding a pre-tour talk, to address any questions about the tour. Our Chair Peng Wenlan will also be showing two short documentaries highlighting features of the tour, including one about eminent urban planner Prof Ruan Yisan and his conservation work in Shanghai and the water-towns of the south-east. Click here for details.

B. On 2nd July at 6.30pm in Room FG08, SOAS, master calligrapher Law Kam-Sang will be discussing the importance of the Orchid Pavilion (lanting), which houses the oldest collection of calligraphy in China and a visit to which will be included in our tour. He will be giving a short history of calligraphy and its development. This will be followed by a demonstration, when members of the audience will be able to try their hand at writing Chinese with a brush. (This talk will be significantly different from the one held earlier in the year at International House.) Details coming soon.

The above talks are also open to people not necessarily wishing to take part in the tour, but places must be booked.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

As you may be aware the membership fees for TMS have remained unchanged since we were founded. We now find that our income cannot sustain our current level of activities. It is, therefore, with regret that we are obliged to increase the annual membership subscription. As of the 15th May 2010 the membership fees will be:

Full Member: £30 p.a.
Senior Citizen Member: £15 p.a.
Student Member: £15 p.a.
Joint Members (two people sharing same address): £50 p.a.

We hope you will understand the need for this, and you will not let these increases deter you from renewing your membership when it falls due. Your support is very much appreciated and we will endeavour to provide an interesting programme of activities for you to enjoy in the future.
Please click here to join us and get to know the membership benefits