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Suffolk Libraries to host Chinese and British exhibition and events

Suffolk Libraries will be hosting a display and events at Ipswich County Library in January to celebrate Chinese and British Communities and the Chinese New Year.

Inspired by the British Library’s Chinese and British exhibition, the events will run from 16 to 21 January and will highlight the rich history of Chinese British communities and the lasting impact of Chinese communities in the UK. The event is part of the Living Knowledge Network, a UK-wide partnership of 30 national and public libraries.

Suffolk Libraries is working with the Anglo Chinese Cultural Exchange (ACCE) to arrange free workshops at Ipswich County Library. There is also a free online author event and the week will end with a special Chinese New Year celebration. There will also be a display at the library featuring a selection of stories and photographs, artworks and maps which are currently on display in the British Library’s Chinese and British exhibition.

The display will be on view from 16 January 2023 until 5 February 2023 and all the events are open to anyone. All the events are free apart from the Chinese New Year celebration, although donations are always welcome.

The full programme is as follows:

  • Monday 16 January: Baduanjin workshop from 1PM until 2PM in the library lecture hall. Baduanjin is a gentle exercise, similar to Tai Chi which integrates the body and mind with relaxing breathing. This event is also part of Suffolk Libraries' Jumpstart wellbeing and fitness campaign for 2023.

  • Tuesday 17 January: Chinese Painting workshop from 10.30AM until 11.30AM. Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuis artistic traditions in the world, and this workshop will offer people of all ages the chance to create a beautiful painting.

  • Wednesday 18 January: Chinese Calligraphy workshop from 1PM until 2PM. Chinese calligraphy is the stylised artistic writing of Chinese characters and the written form of Chinese that unites the languages spoken in China.

  • Thursday 19 January: Online author event with Julie Ma from 6PM until 7PM via Zoom. Julie's book Happy Families is one of the chosen books by the British Library curators as part of the Chinese and British exhibition. It also won the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition in 2020. Please book online for this event.

  • Friday 20 January: Chinese Tea Tasting Ceremony and British afternoon tea workshop from 10AM until 11AM. Chinese tea ceremonies are thought to nourish the soul and body, and cleanse the mind, and is a tradition of spiritual enjoyment.

To end the week Suffolk Libraries and ACCE will be presenting a Chinese New Year celebration event at the library on Saturday 21 January. Tickets are £5 including refreshments and will include a line-up of traditional Chinese entertainment including live music, dance and martial arts. You can book a place for this event online or in person at Ipswich County Library.

Rebecca Abbott, Suffolk Libraries Creative Producer, said:

“The Anglo Chinese Cultural Exchange are a really incredible organisation, working hard to create cultural understanding and celebrate the Chinese community in Britain. We are delighted to partner with ACCE and British Library to explore the positive impact of Chinese migration on our society.”

Lydia Tse, Chair of the Anglo Chinese Cultural Exchange, said:

“The ACCE is excited to be bring our events to Ipswich County Library and especially happy that our Chinese New Year Show is back for the year of Rabbit in 2023. Our line-up this year is as diverse and distinctive as ever; with performances from Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Lion Dance, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Tai Chi sword, Chinese Drumming and Chinese National Dance, singing and much more with our local talent. ACCE’s mission is about harmony and friendship and we hope to welcome you to celebrate with us.”

There will also be a selection of recommended books on the theme of Chinese British culture available in January, including children's books and picks from our Kanopy and Freegal eLibrary services.