Allgemein

Linyi’s Folk Museum Tells Stories of Wood Culture

Linyi Tianze Wood Culture Museum, located in Lanshan District of Linyi City, Shandong Province, China, is a folk museum that showcases nearly 600 specimens of wood from 46 countries and regions. The museum exudes the fragrance of world wood culture and has been carefully curated to provide visitors with a truly immersive experience. In the museum, one can marvel at over a hundred species of ancient wood fossils dating back to billions of years ago with great scientific research value. The display includes the local fossils of ebony wood and silicified wood plus precious wood from other countries around the…


The Fascinating Art of Paper Cutting in Feixian County

As a traditional folk craft of the Han people, the paper cutting art has a long history and is still thriving today. The artform is not only considered as a gem of the Chinese folk art, but also a cherished treasure in the art collection worldwide.  Sun Xiaodong, a retired senior teacher from Feixian No.1 Middle School, is a representative figure of this heritage. He uses the images of plants and animals from real life for his art, creating vivid scenes by cutting paper. Depicting the local customs and traditions, he deepened the symbolic meanings by reflecting the human aspirations for a…


Chinese Dough Sculpture, a Three-Dimensional Painting

In ancient times, it was popular in China to make flour pastries for festival celebrations. The pastries were generally served as offerings for sacrifice services. This is the origin of dough sculptures.  The Yishui dough sculpture in Shandong Province is made of glutinous rice flour with different natural coloring materials . After being kneaded, rubbed, andlifted, it is cleverly cut, carved, and scratched with a small bamboo knife. The exquisite craftsmanship with vivid character forms and realistic landscape images earns it the title of “three-dimensional painting”. Other main materials for dough sculptures are iron wire, screws, refined flour, salt, preservatives, sesame oil and various pigments. The…


The Beauty of Boxwood Carving in Linyi

Wood carving tradition has a long history in China. As one of the four major wood types for carving, boxwood has been famous for wood carving in Linyi City of Shandong Province, China. Mr. Peng Xiangxue is a representative of that art from the city. Influenced by his father, Peng Xiangxue showed great interest in calligraphy and painting from a young age. Soon, the wood-root carving impressed him so much that he followed the profound impact to shape his future. Now he is a renowned artist on wood carving, being called “King of Cicadas”. Combining the different local characteristics and…


“Is There Something Wrong with the Earth?” — Chinese Painter Lu Zhide Back in Vienna

The Chinese painter Lu Zhide who had lived in Vienna for years before returning to his hometown Shanghai, came to Europe this fall with his paintings on the topic of environment. Touring through Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, he put his energy on awakening people’s awareness to care for the environment, our mother Earth. This September 25th, Mr. Lu released a new collection of environmental paintings in Shanghai entitled “Is There Something Wrong with the Earth?”. On October 7th, “Is There Something Wrong with the Earth?” was exhibited at the Cat Art Center in Como, Switzerland. Three days later, on October…


UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Remarks on the Middle East Crisis

I have been closely following dramatic events in Israel and Gaza. I will never forget the images of the supercharged cycle of violence and horror.  I am in continuous contact with leaders in the region with an immediate focus on several key priorities. We must avoid spillover of the conflict.  I am concerned about the recent exchange of fire along the Blue Line and recent reported attacks from Southern Lebanon. I appeal to all parties – and those who have an influence over those parties — to avoid any further escalation and spillover.   I call for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages held in…


Nishan Forum,A Platform on Human Civilizations

Nishan Forum,a platform on World Civilizations, has been held for 9 years. This September from 26th to 28th, the 9th Nishan Forum took place in Qu Fu, Shandong province in China. Experts and scholars from around the world gathered here to explore the theme of “Common Values for Mankind & a Community with Shared Future for all Mankind”. The forum engaged in fruitful discussions and reached unanimous consensus. Jeffrey D. Sachs, renowned professor on economics, as well as Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, highly praised the Nishan Forum, stating that he deeply appreciates “Nishan Forum”, which allows…


The World is “On the Tide” – Book Presentation in Blauer Salon

On the crystal-clear autumn evening of 28. September 2023, the book presentation for “On the Tide” took place in the Blauer Salon, Palais Niederoesterreich at the heart of Vienna. Focusing on current issues, the book is composed of a collection of the transcripts of the online forums organized by Urban Forum and SINOPRESS in the past two-three years, enriched by a dozen essays by experts of related fields. The Salon was fully occupied by guests from academia, diplomacy, politics, business, art and culture. Dr.Bernhard Mueller, Secretary General of Urban Forum, gave the opening speech and welcomed all the honored guests….


Mid-Autumn Festival: 2023 Austrian Chinese Evening Gala Successfully Held in Vienna

2023 Austrian Chinese Evening Gala for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day was successfully held on September 27th. Co-organized by the Austrian Overseas Chinese Retirement Association and the Austrian Shaolin Cultural Center, the evening gala took place in the brand-new and well-equipped VHS auditorium located in the 22nd district of Vienna. The auditorium was decorated in a festive way around the time. At the main entrance, six red lanterns were hung up and attracted much admiration. More than 300 guests arrived for the performance, who were warmly received by Dr. Qian Faqiang and Dr. Chen Shangwei – respectively…


Lotus Root Reaps Harvest in Linyi, Shandong Province

Douling Village, located in Hedong District, Linyi City, is currently experiencing a lotus root harvest season. In recent years, Hedong District has been exploring the core value of its local characteristics and cultivating lotus flowers in a multi-dimensional manner. Established cooperatives include lotus root production, related tourism, and construction of lotus industrial chain, all bringing a revitalization of this rural area. Douling Village has the advantage of enjoying a unique clay soil which is rich in humus, providing the necessary conditions for lotus growth. This advantage helps cultivate lotus which is more than 30 years now. Over 10,000 mu of…