Archive for category: Article

On October 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., the opening ceremony of the “Legacy of Golden Stone” Suzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Seal Carving Joint Exhibition was grandly held at the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau, E34 Cultural Building. This event, as one of the series of activities for the “3rd Festival of Chinese Culture” at the University of Macau, was jointly organized by CCHC of the UM, Suzhou Overseas Friendship Association, Changshu Overseas Friendship Association, and Changshu City International Cultural Exchange Promotion Association. The event attracted many artists, scholars, and guests from Suzhou, Macao, and Hong Kong.

The guests attending the event included: Wang Yang, Standing Committee Member of Suzhou Municipal Committee, Minister of United Front Work Department, Secretary-General of the Municipal Committee, and President of Suzhou Overseas Friendship Association, Wan Sucheng, Director of the Propaganda and Culture Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao, Song Yonghua, Rector of the University of Macau, Ho Teng Iat, All-China Women’s Federation Standing Committee Member and President of Macau Association of Fellows Provincials From Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, Deng Bing, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of Suzhou Municipal Committee and Vice President of Suzhou Overseas Friendship Association, Sam Chin Peng, Founding President of Macau Jiangsu Soviet Union, Xu Aoao, Retired President of Macau University of Science and Technology, Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics, and Permanent Honorary President of Macau Jiangsu Soviet Union, Fu Zimei, President of the People’s Daily Macau Branch, Liu Gang, President of Xinhua News Agency Macau Branch,  Tchu Angela, President of the Macau Suzhou Friendship Association, Wu Wenjin, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of Changshu Municipal Committee and Executive Vice President of Changshu Overseas Friendship Association, and Zhu Shoutong, Director of CCHC.

At the ceremony, Wu Wenjin delivered a speech stating that artists from the three regions used handmade knives as brushes and stones as paper, integrating the essence of Chinese culture and the spirit of the times into a small space, not only showcasing the unique charm of seal carving art but also reflecting our firm belief in jointly inheriting and promoting the excellent traditional Chinese culture. In the future, it is hoped that based on a good foundation of exchange and cooperation, we will continue to make good use of the “Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture Hong Kong and Macao Tour” as a platform for exchange, continuously deepen the connotation of activities, and use culture as a link to expand the exchange and cooperation between Changshu and Hong Kong and Macao in the fields of art, science and technology, talent, and industrial projects, further stimulating the strong power of patriotism and love for Hong Kong and Macao.

Rector Song reviewed the recent activities held by the UM, especially the “One Country, Two Systems” themed activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland. He emphasized that the University of Macau has always been committed to cultivating more patriotic and Macao-loving talents. Cultural Building, as a landmark building of the University of Macau, symbolizes the university’s emphasis on humanities, traditional culture, and Chinese art. Song Yonghua also highly praised the excellent national culture of Suzhou and Changshu, especially mentioning the Suao Pavilion, which is based on the prototype of Canglang Pavilion, as an important architectural representative of the University of Macau, guided by history and carrying culture.

Wu Wei, President of Yushan Seal Society, introduced the history and experience of Yushan Seal Society in detail in his speech, stating that Yushan Seal Society has been committed to promoting the popularization and improvement of seal carving art. He mentioned that Macao has a profound connection with Yushan Seal Society, and this joint exhibition not only showcases the essence of seal carving art from the three regions but also promotes cultural exchange and integration. He also revealed that the joint exhibition displayed more than 110 seal carving works, each of which is a testament to the artists’ efforts and wisdom.

The opening ceremony also included a ceremony to present the original stone seals to the UM, jointly issued by Wu Wei, President of Yushan Seal Society, Ho Pan, Vice President of Hou kong Seal Society, and Tang Changcheng, President of Hong Kong Seal Society. Wu Jianzhong, the University Librarian, accepted on behalf of the university and returned a collection certificate. Subsequently, 14 guests jointly performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official opening of the “Legacy of Golden Stone” Suzhou-Hong Kong-Macau Seal Carving Joint Exhibition. After the opening ceremony, the guests visited the exhibition and the Suao Pavilion, and took a group photo there.

The “Legacy of Golden Stone” Suzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Seal Carving Joint Exhibition not only provided a platform for artists from the three regions to showcase their talents and exchange skills but also promoted in-depth cultural exchange and integration, making a positive contribution to the inheritance and development of Chinese culture.

在黃梅戲的故鄉——安徽安慶舉行的第十屆中國（安慶）黃梅戲藝術節上，上海雋德文化傳播有限公司創作並演出的黃梅戲作品《亂世才女》榮獲國家文旅部優秀劇目獎。
《亂世才女》以明末清初的江南女詩人夏淑吉（民族英雄夏完淳的姐姐）富有民族氣節和家國關懷的人格形象為原型，塑造了動亂時代“一位聰慧才女”譜寫的一段慘痛歷史。主演胡倩是澳門大學中國歷史文化中心特邀的中國歷史文化推廣大使督導，其所領導的雋德文化傳播有限公司主創的《亂世才女》、《衣被天下》的劇名題寫，都由中心主任朱壽桐教授承擔。
據訊，此次賽事競爭激烈，多為國家級或省市級院團參與，在獲獎劇目中，《亂世才女》是唯一為非公藝術團體獲得的獎項。

第十届中國（安慶）黃梅戲藝術節《亂世才女》證書

To promote academic exchanges between Macao and Suzhou, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the University of Macau (UM) and Soochow University jointly organised a three-day training programme on Chinese culture promotion. A total of 26 students and faculty members from Soochow University participated in the programme at UM to enhance their understanding and knowledge of Macao’s history and culture.

Zhu Shoutong, director of CCHC, said at the opening ceremony that the activity could strengthen academic exchanges between the two places and promote the development of academic research. Ji Jinping, director of the Student Affairs Office of the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Soochow University, encouraged students to immerse themselves in the cultural atmosphere and academic environment of UM.

During the programme, students and faculty members from Soochow University attended workshops on a variety of topics, including Macao’s culture, children’s literature, and traditional Chinese poetry. They also visited the Suao Pavilion, the University Gallery, the UM Library, and the Wall of Great Wisdom at UM.

The Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) at the University of Macau (UM) successfully held its 2024 Academic Committee Annual Meeting on 7th April 2024. The meeting was presided over by Zhu Shoutong, the Director of the CCHC. During the meeting,  Wu Zhiliang, the Chairman of the Academic Committee of CCHC, met with all the members of the academic committee and engaged in thorough discussions and exchanges on the suggestions proposed by the members. The suggestions encompassed a range of areas including the acquisition of research resources, the creation of the Centre’s unique characteristics, the development of publications, and the establishment of an academic criticism centre. These suggestions are highly directive and practical for the future development of the Centre.

At the meeting, Zhu Shoutong first reviewed the Centre’s achievements over the past year, particularly the notable success in promoting the study of Chinese history and culture and its dissemination in Portuguese-speaking countries. Additionally, he pointed out the challenges faced by the Centre in its future development and emphasized the importance of actively seeking more support to make greater contributions to China’s academic research and cultural dissemination.

The suggestions put forward by the committee members are of guiding significance for the Centre’s future development such as actively seeking research resources and financial support, refining tender and project designs, strengthening the quality of publications, and establishing a dedicated criticism centre. All of these are aimed at expanding the research team, enhancing influence, and further promoting the education, research, and dissemination of Chinese history and culture.

On March 21st, 2024, “Chinese Intangible Heritage – Yixing Clay Teapot ‘Excellence of Teapot’ Fan Weiqun Purple Sand Clay Teapot Art and Fan Family Pottery Excellent Works Tour Exhibition in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Greater Bay Area” was officially opened by Macau Jiangsu Province Overseas Friendship Association, Yixing Ceramics Industry Association and Wuxi Overseas Friendship Association, and hosted by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture(CCHC) of University of Macau (UM) and Yixing Fan Family Ceramic Art Co. With the core concept of “Intangible Cultural Heritage – Peace – Culture – Inclusion – Inheritance”, the exhibition showcases more than 150 pieces of original Clay Teapots by Master Fan Weiqun, a representative heir to the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and his team of masters, which highlights the brilliance of China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in the institution of higher education. The exhibition will be on display until March 27, 2024.

The exhibition was organized by Fan Weiqun, a representative heir of intangible cultural heritage and a master craftsman of Jiangsu Province, who led a group of masters from the Fan Family Workshop to Macao. The exhibition activities included a presentation of the production techniques of purple sand pottery, tea ware and tea art experience, purple sand, paintings and calligraphy exchange, an academic report of purple sand, a cultural lecture on purple sand and so on. Those activities are designed to kindle their interest in traditional Chinese culture and enhance their understanding of Chinese culture so as to make them learn and love intangible cultural heritage in a relaxing and interactive way.

At the opening ceremony, PANG Chap Chong, Dean of Students of UM, FAN Weiqun, distinguished master of pottery, Shi Juntang, President of Yixing Ceramics Industry Association, Ma Da, Honorary President of Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Association, Xie Qiang, representative of the masters, and ZHU Shutong, Director of CCHC of UM, delivered speeches. PANG said in his speech that this exhibition coincides with the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return, which is not only a promotion of the excellent traditional Chinese culture, but also a deepening of cultural exchange and cooperation between Jiangsu and Macao. FAN Weiqun said that he looked forward to in-depth collaboration with more cultural institutions, universities experts and scholars to jointly promote the internationalization of the purple sand art, so as to make this treasure of Chinese culture shine more brightly on the world cultural stage. ZHU Shoutong pointed out in his speech that in the current context of promoting the excellent traditions of Chinese culture, the significance of purple sand pottery is increasingly prominent in modern cultural development, showcasing exceptional research value.

At the opening ceremony, WONG Kei, Director of Rector’s Office and other representatives of UM, presented certificates of appreciation to FAN Weiqun and other participating artists. Fan Weiqun also led the guests to visit the exhibition and had in-depth exchanges on the production, the ceramic carving and decoration of purple sand teapots, and tea art performance. During the seminar after the opening ceremony, the guests and scholars discussed the development of the culture of purple sand teapots, which strengthened the understanding of the culture of purple sand among the teachers, students of UM and other visitors. Zhu Shoutong also presented Fan Weiqun with a certificate of “Supervisor of Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassador” of the CCHC to jointly promote the inheritance and development of purple sand art and culture at UM.

The guests who attended the opening ceremony also included CHUI Sai Cheong, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice-President of the Legislative Assembly of Macao; LU Bo, Deputy to the 13th National People’s Congress and President of the Macao Daily News; SAM Chin Peng, President of Macau Jiangsu Province Overseas Friendship Association; KUNG Po Mei, President of Macao Calligraphy Association; ZENG Zhihui, Permanent President of Associação da Arte do Chá de Macau; LOK Hei, President of the Macau Artist Society; and WANG Jian, Executive Vice-President and Secretary General of Jiangsu Provincial Association of protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage; SONG Jiangen, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Association; XU Jianrong, Vice President of Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Association and Director of Yixing Zisha Craft Factory; CHEN Hongbing, President of China Medical System Holdings Limited; GUO Tongchun, Chairman of Wuxi Shengqian Investment Company Limited; Gu Shaopei, Ji Yishun, and Xie Qiang, masters of Chinese arts and crafts and Fan Zefeng, master of ceramic arts of Jiangsu Province; HU Ke, member of the National Urban Sculpture Art Committee and Vice President of Yixing Pottery Association; LI Defeng , representative of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities(FAH); WONG Seng Fat, Interim College Master of Cheng Yu Tung College; LEUNG May Yee, College Master of Choi Kai Yau College; YANG Liu, master of Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College; TAM Sik Chung, Interim College Master of Shiu Pong College; Lampo LEONG, director of the Center of Arts and Design; Billy LEUNG, Assistant University Librarian; CHEANG Neng Ian, deputy director of CCHC; SIO Chio Ieong, Director of Academic Research Division of CCHC; WEI Chuxiong, Emeritus Professor of FAH, etc.