What’s on
Society: 100 million offer to volunteer
More than 100 million Chinese registered as volunteers by the end of last year, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Meanwhile, about 12,000 organizations specializing in volunteer services have been registered and provided more than 1.2 billion hours of service, the ministry said. Chinese have taken an increasingly active part in volunteering in recent years, particularly at major international events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The country’s first regulation on volunteer services took effect in 2017, clarifying the principles and establishing administrative institutions in this regard.
Reading: Chinese books debut in London
Broken Wings Dust Empires of
People: Postman works on a tide of success
As the Spring Festival holiday ended on Monday, Shi Jin, a postman from Ningde, Fujian province, has just been through his busiest time of the year as he delivered packages to customers during the holiday. Shi, though, differs from other couriers on their cars or bicycles. He transports packages by boat. The only letter carrier in the Sanduao marine area of the Jiaocheng district, Shi followed in the footsteps of his father when he was 18 and has stuck to the post for more than 20 years.
Travel: More tourists take caravan trips
revealed that caravan or camping trips are increasingly popular among Chinese tourists in Australia. Last year, about 14,000 Chinese visitors stayed in caravan parks while in Australia. Over the past 10 years, Chinese visitors have been a key source of growth for tourism around Australia, including the caravan and camping sector. Figures from Tourism Research Australia showed a similar trend, as the number of Chinese visitors to Australia on group and package tours declined by 8.4 percent in 2017. In that year alone, 14,175 Chinese visitors spent more than 124,000 nights in caravan parks. This represented a 180 percent increase in nights from 2016.
Internet: HK police set up their Weibo account
Feb 23-24, 7:30 pm National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing
The Family Heritage is adapted from a novel of the same name by Lian Jian, a writer from Qingdao, Shandong province. The play is directed by Wang Xiaoying, who was specially invited by the National Theater of China.
Focusing on the lives of two families, the drama reveals the complicated emotions of three generations regarding family heritage, a sensitive topic in China.
The story tackles current social issues and illustrates how modern families should regain filial love.
It reveals social attitudes toward family fortunes and dissects family ties, plus filial and social responsibilities. When one of the fathers leaves a fortune in his will, the characters experience different reactions. Does heritage mean anything except money? Is it meaningful to inherit a fortune if the family spirit, which has been handed down from generation to generation, is missing?
readers an insight into how the seismic socioeconomic changes over the last few decades have impacted the lives of ordinary people in the Chinese countryside.
The police department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region set up its Sina Weibo account last month. The account boasts more than 140,000 followers. It focuses on practical information like crime prevention and event arrangements.
When: Feb 28-March 10, 7:30 pm
National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing
a magical piece of “jade” in his mouth. He shares his love of music and poetry with his sickly cousin Lin Daiyu, but he’s bethrothed to marry another cousin Xue Baochai. He experiences a bittersweet life and finally understands that life is nothing more than a long dream.
When: Where: Where:
Looking West to Chang’an, a five-act satire by the writer Lao She, is based on the first case of political fraud in New China, which occurred in 1956. It is a thought-provoking story.
Li Wancheng forges his personal details and resume to obtain official posts. Credulous people place trust in him and help him garner fame and fortune. Some of Li’s victims even help him to get married.
When a few vigilant comrades become aware of his deception, public security officials investigate and crack the case. In vivid and humorous style, Lao She depicts a dozen figures with distinct characteristics. The drama is a vehicle for irony. March 1-2, 7: 30 pm National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing
This is based on the classic novel A Dream of Red Mansions by Cao Xueqin during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
There are about 30 main characters and 400 minor ones in the novel.
It describes the Jia clan’s wealth and influence and their fall as their mansions are raided and confiscated.
Jia Yuanchun, one of the clan’s offspring is chosen as an imperial concubine, and a lush landscaped garden is built to welcome her visit.
The carefree male heir of the family, Jia Baoyu was born with
Shoac Citizens’ Concert When:
Where:
Center
Thorsten Mauder, a concert organist and winner of numerous competitions and various scholarships, studied with French musician Daniel Roth in Frankfurt, Halle and Paris. In addition to worldwide concerts and making several CDs, he is a regular lecturer in master classes in Germany and other countries.
Duan Aiai is an erhu solo artist with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and president of the erhu committee of the Shanghai Musicians’ Association. She began learning the twostringed fiddle at the age of 6. She has toured dozens of countries and regions, performing as a soloist with various orchestras.
She has been the erhu soloist and lead performer in musical scores for films, television drama series and modern dance productions.
Duan is noted for her delicate and expressive style, which exudes a natural charm that touches the hearts of her audience.
Feb 16, 10 am Shanghai Oriental Art
Arod Quartet: Classic Reborn When:
Where:
Feb 16, 7:15 pm Shanghai Grand Theater
Though all four of its members are young — in their early 20s — the Arod Quartet, based in Paris, has dazzled chamber music lovers with concerts at such prestigious venues as the Auditorium of the Louvre in Paris and the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.
The quartet quickly came to international attention after winning first prize at the 2016 ARD International Music Competition in Munich, Germany, having already taken first prize at the Carl Nielsen Chamber Music Competition in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Giovanni Marradi 2019 Piano Concert in Suzhou When:
Where:
Feb 17, 7:30 pm Suzhou Poly Grand Theater
Giovanni Marradi is a composer, pianist, recording artist, arranger, performer, inventor and cartoonist.
He began learning piano at the age of 5 and studied composition and technique with Michael Cheskinoff at the Russian Conservatory.
He is one of the most successful expressionist pianists of the past century.
As a young adult, he played throughout Europe and the Middle East, but his dream was to pursue a musical career in the United States. After arriving in California, he played small concerts before being invited to perform at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
Giovanni made many friends in the movie business and in music circles, while many have been entertained by his unique, romantic style.