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Chinese culture originated in the valley region of the Huang He (Yellow River). The unique culture was formed as a result of the gradual unification of a variety of different tribal groups through many tumultuous periods.
As time passed, the Chinese language, literature, art, philosophy, food and approach to life spread across much of East and Southeast Asia and had a profound influence on the people and cultural development of Japan, Korea, Ryukyu and Vietnam.
To help the public better appreciate the development and influence of language, Chinese art, culture and thought, the School has introduced in this spring a series of four, fascinating, in-depth programmes.
| “The Beauty of Dialects” Series |
Collectively, the Chinese are in fact a family of various tribes, each with its own unique dialect. “The Beauty of Dialects” Series brings to the public the wide array of Chinese dialects ranging from a newly launched programme of Tibetan, and the dialects of Shanghai, to Min Nan and the language of Beijing. There are also practical Putonghua courses designed for specific professions and needs in daily life. Cantonese courses are also offered to Putonghua speaking students.
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| “The Sources of Thought” Series |
Chinese philosophy and religion have been at core of the spiritual and emotional development of Chinese people for several millennia.
The School has offered “the Sources of Thought” Series which covers the study of the Yi Jing (Book of Changes), together with the different philosophies developed in various dynasties including Confucianism in the Sung and Ming Dynasties and Zen literature.
There are also programmes introducing classical literature such as the Lun Yu (the Analects of Confucius) – possibly the most widely read of all classic Chinese texts – and the Zuo Zhuan (Zuo's Biography of the Spring and Autumn Annals). There will also be classes on the appreciation and writing of Chinese poetry.
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| “The Appreciation of Culture” Series |
This series is designed to help students appreciate the various regional cultures of China through the introduction of the different customs, culture, art and languages of the different tribes that make up the Chinese family. The series also includes the study and appreciation of contemporary Chinese novels and literature.
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| “The Art of Living” Series |
In this series, the School presents the Chinese tea culture and the ancient tradition of wood carving and artistry. There are also programmes on the Taoist and Buddhist viewpoints on “birth and death”, and the study of feng shui and face reading. |
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