A week of cultural events organised by the Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen got underway with an evening of music and Chinese puppetry that took place in the city on Tuesday night.
The show - Warriors! The Emperor’s Incredible Army - was a result of collaboration between the Institute, Scottish Opera and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils that has been delivered in primary classrooms across the region. Over a hundred local schoolchildren displayed their skills in Chinese language, music and culture to an audience at the city’s Beach Ballroom.
The show marked the start of Confucius Week at the University, consisting of a number of special events and activities celebrating Chinese language and culture across the North-east
The week will culminate on Friday with a special performance from the Shanghai Theatre Academy Troupe as part of their UK tour, which will include traditional Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera and Chinese folk music.
Dr Will Tuladhar-Douglas, Director of the Confucius Institute, said: “Confucius week at the University of Aberdeen is always an exciting prospect, and this year’s celebration of Chinese culture and language is educating and entertaining in equal measure.
“Events got underway with a performance of Warriors! The Emperor’s Incredible Army, which came courtesy of a partnership between the Institute, Scottish Opera and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils. I would like to thank all of those involved in bringing this event to the city for their effort and enthusiasm - not least the schoolchildren who gave such an exciting performance!
“Lion dancing, Mandarin classes and calligraphy workshops all make for a broad mix of further events taking place as part of Confucius Week, and we are delighted to have lined up the Shanghai Theatre Academy to bring the curtain down on what is sure to be a memorable four days.
“I would encourage anyone who can make it to come along and experience the very best of Chinese culture, and if you can’t manage then there is still the opportunity to learn more about Chinese language and culture through our programme of Mandarin courses for adults which start at the end of September.”
For more information on events taking place as part of Confucius Week please visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/confucius/events/ or email confucius@abdn.ac.uk
Information on Mandarin classes can be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/confucius or by emailing using the address above.