East meets West in Creative Discovery Museum’s newest exhibit, Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China. In this interactive exhibit, children will learn about one of the oldest civilizations—and now among the most modern—in the world through some of its young people.
In Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China, visitors will follow four children who live in Hangzhou, China through a whirlwind adventure. The exhibit presents the four children from Hangzhou at home, at school, in the library, in the theatre and in the countryside. The Hangzhou young people will introduce themselves through media and the activities of their daily lives. Visitors will discover that Chinese life today mixes ancient traditions with modern lifestyles and that life in China is both similar to and different from life in North America. The exhibit also exists to be a bridge to learning about China and serves as a building block to cross-cultural understanding. The Exhibit 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.
“We are delighted to be hosting Children of Hangzhou,” said Henry Schulson, Executive Director of Creative Discovery Museum. “In today’s world it is so important for children to have an understanding of other people’s and cultures. With China’s expanding role on the world stage, more and more people are interested in learning about this nation and we are seeing Chinese language courses offered in a number of schools. This exhibit will provide a wonderful opportunity for children to explore this fascinating area in fun and hands-on ways.”
Children will experience different components of the exhibit and explore the following:
- 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.
Throughout the exhibit, Creative Discovery Museum will welcome a host of Chinese performances, calligraphy lessons and an opportunity to sample tasty snacks. For a complete list of events, visit www.cdmfun.org/page/calendar/.
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).