Cultural Courses
All Cultural Courses are currently suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. We are working towards starting these when it is safe to do so, and we will post notices when they are ready.
Coventry University Confucius Institute offers cultural activities and workshops to help promote the understanding Chinese culture. Our courses are open to students, staff and the wider community.
Chinese Calligraphy
Chinese calligraphy is not just a way writing but also a way to express one's emotions. Chinese characters are dynamic, they contain deep meaning, they are connected to the surrounding world and its elements and yet they are contained within a balanced framework. How can a simple character convey all this? The use of brush and ink has much to do with it. Our Chinese teacher will guide you through this fascinating Chinese art.
Course Start date: Start the week of 10 February 2020
When: Thursday 12:00 - 13:00pm
Where: GE103, George Eliot Building
Duration: 10 week course
Course cost: £40 per person. The cost includes all calligraphy materials.
Minimum of three and maximum of fifteen participants are required to run the course
Tai Chi Beginners Club
Our Chinese teacher will guide you through this traditional, powerful and yet gentle form of wellbeing
Learn a powerful and simple form of Tai Chi – can help you become more flexible, improve general fitness and develop better balance; experience the benefits of deep breathing; learn about meditation techniques which may help reduce stress. Taught in a simple, step-by-step method. Everyone welcome (minimum age 18).
Chinese Arts and Crafts for Beginners
Chinese arts are some of the oldest in the world having a rich heritage and deep cultural ties. Our course will introduce you to a range of arts including Chinese painting, paper cutting and other crafts.
On request, or sometimes as part of our Mandarin language classes, we also offer the following courses:
Tea Ceremony
The concept of tea culture is referred to in Chinese as chayi (荼艺), the art of drinking tea. In traditional Chinese society, members of the younger generation show their respect to members of the older generation by offering a cup of tea. Despite the huge moderation occurred in China over the last 20 years, drinking and offering tea is still a crucial part in lives of the Chinese and in the way they socialise.
By joining our tea ceremony, you will learn and experience first-hand the fascinating Chinese art of making and drinking tea.
Chinese Paper Cutting
Chinese paper-cuts, is referred to in Chinese as jianzhi (剪纸), are used for religious and ceremonial purposes and as decorations. They can also adorn walls, windows, doors, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns in homes. Chinese people believe that the red paper-cuts on the door can bring good luck and happiness to the whole family. The paper-cuts are more often seen during traditional Chinese festivals, particularly in Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival. In Chinese traditional culture, paper-cuts can reflect many aspects of life such as prosperity, health, or harvest.
