UAA Confucius Institute plans September Chinese Culture Week

Sept. 10-13

The UAA Confucius Institute (UAA CI), in celebration of its official opening, presents Chinese Culture Week Sept. 10-13. Established in collaboration with the Office of Chinese Language International Council, which is referred to as Hanban, the UAA CI is now working to promote Chinese language and culture in Alaska. The following events held on UAA's campus are all free and open to the public.

A Celebration of Chinese Performing Arts

Thursday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m. at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium
Dr. J.D. Zhang, Sichuan Opera "Change of Face" artist and master of traditional Chinese magic
Guoming Sun, Asia International Martial Arts Champion performing double Chain-whip and Drunk Sword
Weiguang Dang, Famous Chinese Baritone
Dr. Yuxiang Wu, Classical Chinese Flute
There will be choral singers, dancers and other performances by members of the Alaska Chinese Association.

"Overcoming the Global Economic Crisis: The Chinese Gamble"
A presentation by Professor Barry Naughton
Friday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building 150

Professor Barry Naughton, an authority on the Chinese economy, is So Kwanlok Chair of Chinese International Affairs at the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies at UC San Diego. He is an authority on the Chinese economy, with an emphasis on issues relating to industry, trade, finance and China's transition to a market economy. The College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Public Policy, and Institute for Social and Economic Research co-sponsor this event with the UAA CI.

Chinese Adventure: A carnival of activities, games, performances and prizes
Saturday, Sept. 12, Noon to 4 p.m. at the UAA Student Union on the 1st Floor

Come witness and participate in traditional dance and martial arts performances, calligraphy, paper cutting and folding, Chinese games and more. These opportunities made possible with assistance from the Alaska Chinese Association and the UAA Chinese Language Club.

Film Presentation: The King of Masks (1999)
Sunday, Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building 150
Directed by Wu Tian-Ming, The King of Masks is set in 1930s Sichuan Province and tells the tale of an aging master of the traditional Sichuan Opera art of Change of Face, rapid mask changes to display the emotions of varied players, and his quest to find a protégé to carry on his art. This is a simple, moving and well-acted film starring Zhang Zhigang and Xu Zhu.

Hanban is committed to making Chinese language and cultural teaching resources and services available to the public and to the promotion of cultural diversity and harmony. UAA finalized its agreement with Hanban, which provides $100,000 in operational support each year, on Nov. 18, 2008. Through academic partnership with China's Northeast Normal University (NENU), the UAA CI aims to strengthen educational and cultural cooperation between China and the U.S.