Glory and Dream： Chinese Modern Drama in 100 Years

Chinese modern drama is embracing its 100th anniversary. Since the founding of the first modern drama workshop in China in 1907, this artistic expression has demonstrated its extensive impacts and unparalleled appeals that can never be rivaled by any other art forms. Over the past century, modern drama has witnessed the Chinese people＇s persistent struggles for national independence and freedom as well as their endeavors for social development and prosperity. It has been employed as a significant means to unite and inspire the Chinese people when the nation is at a critical moment or to encourage them for reforms and innovations when the nation strives for modernization. Initially introduced as an imported art, modern drama has been successfully integrated with Chinese culture and now become one of the Chinese people＇s favorite artistic expressions.     

2004： An Epitome of Chinese Film Over the 20th century

2004 was a special year for Chines emovies. In this year, various types of movies were produced and shown to welcome the 100th anniversary of China‘s movie industry which will come in 2005. These new productions provided us an opportunity to review and recall the history of Chinese movies in the past 100 years.     

Forbidden City on the Film

The film-production in the VISION BEIJING project has concluded after more than 600 days of planning, filming and post production work.The VISION BEIJING Organizing Committee invited five of the world＇s most famous film directors, Giuseppe Tornatore （Italy）, Majid Majidi （Iran）, Patrice keconte （France）, Daryl Goodrich （Great Britain） and Andrew kau Wai-Keung （Hong Kong） to make a five-minute film each about Beijing and its people＇s enthusiastic preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games. The final products of the project will serve as an audio-video record of the rich connotations of Beijing＇s ＂People＇s Olympics＂.     

Beijing Olympics-Themed Gala Stages in Hollywood

On March 3, just before the Chinese Lantern Festival, some 500 performers from Beijing staged a large paradein the Hollywood Boulevard in an ettort to snowcase traditional Chinese culture to the American public and promote the 2008 summer Olympics,which will be held in Beijing next year. The parade, as part of the cultural event entitled “Experience Beijing Culture in Los Angeles”, attracted much local media coverage. The World Journal reported that “The art and culture from China look so integrated and well coordinated with the Hollywood Boulevard, a svmbol of America＇s film and TV industry.” Recently, the staff reporter had an interview with the event＇s chief director Mr. Li Jicheng.[第一段]     

Innovation： a Key to Increased Cultural Exchanges An interview with Victor Konnov,director of Russia Cultural Center in Beijing

The year 2014 marks the 65th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Russia Friendship for Youth. It is also the 4th anniversary of Russia Cultural Center （RCC） in Beijing. Thanks to its achievements in promoting China-Russia cultural ex- changes, RCC has gained increasing recognition among Russian expatriates and Chinese people who are interested in Russian culture. Our magazine recently took an interview with Mr. Victor Konnov, R CC＇s director.     

Marionettes of Quanzhou： the Art of Lines and Design

The past decade has seen Quanzhou Marionette Troupe＇s most frequent exchanges with the outsideworld. The troupe has toured more than 30 countries and regions around the world, staging some 80 performances to show the marvelous art of Chinese marionettes which enjoy a history of 2000 years or so. In 2005, the troupe was invited to show at the UN headquarter in New York, gaining worldwide acclaims with its outstanding skills and performance.     

We Are Destined to Have This Type of Literature

Over the past decade or so, the topic of world literature and Chinese literature has been frequently discussed and seminars on the topic held quite often. It would be impossible twenty years ago. After keeping closed and backward for quite a long time, China has adopted the policy to open its door to the outside world. As a result, Chinese economy has seen rapid growth and economic globalization has changed Chinese people＇s mindset and way of thinking, and Chinese literature as well.     

Chinese Folk Arts Showcased in Olympic Village

The 29th summer Olympiad, extolled as ＂truly exceptional＂ by IOC President Jacques Rogge, has left over tremendous legacy to Beijing, in particular, its perfect combination of sports and culture. The showcases of Chinese folk arts in the Olympic Village, while amazing the whole world with their vitality and creativity, have boosted Chinese people＇s awareness of the protection of Chinese intangible cultural heritage which bears unique historical and aesthetic values     

Lecture Series on Chinese Archeological Discoveries Fascinates French Audiences

Lecture series on Chinese archeological discoveries took place in China Culture Center in Paris late November, 2006, as part of the center＇s lecture program aiming to respond to French people＇s growing interest in Chinese culture. Diverse subjects such as archeological discoveries, heritage conservation, Chinese history and civilization as well as traditional ways to enhance bodycare, all attracted the French audience to come. So far, this lecture program has made itself a brand name of the culture center as a primary means to spread Chinese culture and information and provide French people with training on the Chinese language.[第一段]     

STATUE CELEBRATING CHINA＇S LUNAR ORBITER UNVEILED

The successful launch of China＇s first unmanned lunar orbiter, Chang＇e Ⅰ witnessed the country＇s leading status in the space industry and fulfilled Chinese people＇s dream to explore the moon. In order to show respect for Chinese scientists who have made great contribution to the countrv＇s space exploration and express Chinese people＇s commitment to the peaceful utilization of space for the benefit of human kind,     

“Kekexilli： Mountain Patrol”

At the 17th Tokyo International Film Festival which condluded on October 31,2004,the Special July Prize went to the sole participating Chinese film “Kekexilli:Mountain Patrol”.The theme of the film is “thrill,obligation and life”。During the weeklong festival,every screening of the film played to a packed house and received enthusiastic applause.Director Lu Chuan cried when he accepted the prize onstage.He told the media,“I put my heart and soul into producing this film.But I believe it was worth it,because the film has gained recognition by so many people”.The film debuted in mainland China on October 1,2004.According to producer wang Zhonglei,the investment in the production totaled 10 million RMB.Box office figures from the mainland are estimated to reach 10 million RMB.Meanwhile,the overseas copyright has been sold for 800,000 USD.     

The DV Era： For College Students, It＇s the Stuff of Dreams

The rapid development of digital media is bringing revolutionary changes to the way people make movies. Selfproduced short movies by ordinary people are no longer rare in Chinese society. Recently, a digital video (DV) craze has swept universities across the country. A lot of people use DV to snapshot significant moments in their lives. But groups of college students in China are using DV to express their innermost feelings about campus life in modern China.     

Chinese Local Operas Fascinate Parisians

The Second Chinese Theatre Festival took place in the winter of 2005 in Paris, France. The event, organized by China Cultural Center in Paris, has seen six local opera troupes from Hebei, Jiangsu, Jilin, Fujian and Guangdong provinces, showing to Parisians scores of traditional programs of Chinese operas. Chinese theatric art is not novel to French people. Over past decades in the history of modern China, Chinese opera masters, in particular, Peking opera singers, visited Paris many times and made traditional Chinese opera known to French people. For example, when visiting Paris half the century ago, master Cheng Yanqiu gave lectures on Peking opera, the first Chinese opera genre that was introduced to French people.     

Hengdian World Studio： Hollywood of the East

Dubbed ＂Oriental Hollywood＂ and situated on the outskirts of Hengdian, a township of Dongyang city in East China＇s Zhejiang Province, Hengdian World Studio has become a favorite rendezvous for tourists and since its inception, this state-of-the-art film and television studio has welcomed many famous film actors and directors. It is estimated that 70% of China＇s film and TV studios are losing money, but Hengdian is an exception. This privately-owned studio seems to be never short of tourists and film stars. What is the secret of its success？     

PRIVATELY-OWNED MUSEUMS IN BEIJING

Private collection in Beijing dates back to 800 years and saw its heydays in the early 20th century. The long history of private collection has enabled the city to take the leading place in China＇s collection field. Over the past two decades, in particular, collection has gained increasing popularity among ordinary people in Beijing and some have even run privately-owned museums.     

Luxury Brand, Quality Life NE-TIGER releases autumn/winter leather series 2010

From August 21 to 23, China＇s top luxury brand NE·TIGER hosted a new arrival showcase for its VIP members in the brand＇s flagship store in Harbin. The historic store building in a European style was decorated in an elegant and trendy manner, bringing visitors into a dreamy world of luxury charm. Famous Chinese models and film stars as well as more than 2000 NE.TIGER VIP members attended this release of autumn/winter leather series.     

Focus on Europalia.China

Europalia is a major international arts festival hetd every other year to ：＇etebrate one invited country＇s cultural heritage. Founded in 1969, this biennial festival is celebrated in Brussels, Belgium and since the 1990s countries offside Europe have been invited as the festival＇s highlights. The festival lasts for four months each tgme, from early October to next FebpJary Each session turns the spotl：ght on one culture in a comprehensive program of music, fine arts, photography, cinema, dance and literature, offering guest countries a unique opportunity to present their CUltural heritage and contemporary arts in an optimal formal.     

A Hard and Lofty Mission—— The Translation and Publication of the Japanese Edition of ＂ The Panorama of the Great Wall＂

In November 11, 2003, the renowned Chinese writer Zhou Erfu, at age 83 and in the advanced stage of cancer, strenuously wrote a letter to his Japanese friend Yi Kenichiro, inquiring about the translation and publication of the Japanese edition of his novel ＂The Panorama of the Great Wall＂ which reflects the whole period of the Chinese people＇s anti-Japanese war from 1937 to 1945. Yi Kenichiro, with a medium-sized figure, gentlemen-like appearance and unswerving disposition, is a Japanese professor expert in Chinese literature and language. He was then busy with his teaching work and the translation of the Japanese version of Zhou＇s novel. Receiving Zhou＇s letter, he fell into a sad mood and hoped Zhou could be recovered soon and live up to the day when the whole novel was published in Japan.     

African Extravaganza in Shenzhen

The autumn season in Shenzhen is charming. Cool breeze touches people＇s face and a permeating fragrance of orange osmanthus sways across the skyscrapers, makingthis robust city full of sense of modernity. After 30 years of opening and reform, the city is heading on faster and faster to get into the world fashion. Our story focuses on a 10-day cultural extravaganza hosted by the African artists and their Chinese counterparts in the downtown area, The ongoing ＂Focus on African Culture＂ festival is a true witness of the everlasting friendship between African countries and China.