CHILDREN OF HANGZHOU: CONNECTING WITH CHINA

January 14 - May 13

Learn about one of the oldest civilizations in the world—and now among the most modern—in Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China. In this new interactive exhibit, children and families will explore the culture of China without leaving Chattanooga. The exhibit will also feature Chinese life today mixed with ancient traditions and modern lifestyles that will allow visitors to see that life in China is both very similar and different to life in North America.

From January 14 to May 13, Creative Discovery Museum invites you to learn about the lifestyle and culture of the Chinese people by following four young people who will serve as your “tour guides.” The Exhibit presents the children at home, at school, in the library, in the theatre and in the countryside. You will then be able to peek into their exciting lifestyles. The Exhibit also contains copies of original artwork that was created specifically for the exhibit to present a unique Chinese visual that delivers a feeling as if you are actually in China.

Your adventure will take you to the following locations:

• Bus Stop – Visitors will “enter” Hangzhou, China and “meet” the four children
• Wu Lin Men Apartments – Visitors “meet” Weicheng and his family in their apartment and learn to cook a birthday meal for his grandmother
• Yellow Dragon Theater – Visitors “meet” Wianyun, who is studying Chinese opera, and join in a performance of White Snake Lady or play traditional instruments
• Bao Chu Ta Middle School – Visitors “meet” Gangzheng at school while learning about the great wall, and count on the abacus
• Pavilion – Visitors learn about Chinese writing, poetry, and yin and yang, the traditional worldview of balance and dualities in nature
• Hangzhou Children’s Library – Visitor can check out the latest software and learn about China
• Huang Tian Fan Village – Visitors will “meet” Duoduo, help her plant rice seedlings with her grandfather, and learn about two thirds of people in China live – on the land.

During the opening of the Exhibit on Saturday, January 14, 2012, visitors will be able to experience calligraphy lessons, Chinese Dance and a Tai Ji performance.

Scheduled Activities include:

• 11 a.m. to Noon: Calligraphy with Chris Campbell in the Atrium
• 12:30 p.m.: Tai Ji martial arts demonstration in the Atrium
• 1 p.m.: Chinese Calligraphy lesson in the Art Studio with Chris Campbell
• 2 p.m. Chinese Dance performance in the Atrium

There will be other activities and walk-up lessons during the course of the exhibit.

This exciting exhibit will serve as a bridge to cross-cultural learning. School tours will also be available.

Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China was created by Boston Children’s Museum (BCM) and is sponsored by State Street and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Locally, the exhibit is made possible by