Chinese Culture Week at University of Utah

The second annual Chinese Culture Week will take place at the University of Utah March 30 through April 3, affording opportunities to experience traditional Chinese music, speech contests, film and lectures on democratic values among Chinese peasantry. All events are free and open to the public. A complete schedule follows.

“The primary goal for the week is to promote awareness of Chinese culture,” says Janet Theiss, director of the Asia Center. “We hope the various activities scheduled during Chinese Cultural Week will ultimately encourage students and community members to take Chinese language classes or courses on Chinese history, culture, politics and society.”

With global threads tying people and cultures closer together every day, it is increasingly important for University students and the community at large to have access to opportunities to learn about Asian cultures. In October, 2007, the U became one of 13 institutions in the nation to host a Confucius Institute. Partnering with Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, the Institute offers China-related cultural activities such as films, opera and music performances, art exhibits and public lectures on Chinese society, culture and history, all of which are open to the campus and the wider community. Chinese Culture Week is sponsored by the Confucius Institute at the University of Utah in cooperation with the Asia Center.

March 30, 7 p.m.

Chinese Music Concert, Dumke Recital Hall, School of Music, University of Utah
Ning Lu and Jie Lu, professors of piano, University of Utah
Wenyuan Gu, violinist, Utah Symphony
Donna Fairbanks, professor of violin at Utah Valley State University and guest violinist Kelly Parkinson

March 31, 9:30 a.m.

Chinese Speech Contest, LNCO 1945, University of Utah

April 1, 10:30 a.m.

Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Presentation, LNCO 2100, University of Utah

Ma Weihua, named one of the ten greatest artists of China in 2008.

April 2, 1 p.m.

“Democratic Values among Chinese Peasantry”-Lecture, LNCO 1945, University of Utah

Zhong Yang, professor, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

April 3, 7 p.m.

Shower-Chinese film followed by a panel discussion, CTIHB 109, University of Utah