To mark the first ever global Chinese language day, a pop-up Chinese tea house will transform The Mound in Edinburgh this Saturday 27 September.
The event will feature a host of activities, including calligraphy workshops, Tai Chi sessions and lessons teaching basic Chinese phrases. Stage performances throughout the day will also showcase modern Chinese pop music, dance and classical music.
The Edinburgh celebration is one of more than 800 events worldwide to mark the tenth anniversary of the Confucius Institute (CI) project, which aims to promote Chinese culture and language across the globe.
Further attractions in Edinburgh include storytelling from the award-winning Rickshaw Theatre, telling tales of contemporary migrant workers in China, and two giant panda mascots will also make an appearance.
A wishing tree will also be available for visitors to write their dreams on paper and decorate the tree for luck.
Visitors can also try a selection of traditional string and wind instruments, while learning about the country’s contemporary music. Other options include a game of Ti Jianzi – also known as Shuttlecock Kicking – a popular ball game that dates back more than 2,000 years.
A range of Chinese teas will also be on offer for people to enjoy while watching the events.
Professor Natascha Gentz, Director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland in the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted to celebrate and showcase such a wide variety of events representing China and its historical and contemporary facets. The Confucius Institute for Scotland aims to facilitate interactions between Scotland and China across the sectors of business, education and culture, and we hope that these vibrant and fun events will appeal to all ages to stimulate international engagement.”
CI Day has been arranged by the Confucius Institute for Scotland and is supported by the Chinese Consulate and the Scottish Government.
All events are open to the public and free to attend between 10am and 5pm. To find out more, go to: Confucius Institute Day’s website.