Lijia Zhang's Blog, page 15
August 1, 2023
Chinese women football
The Chinese women’s team was beaten by the English team – 1/6 in the World Cup. The ‘Steel Roses’ had enjoyed glory in the past but is now in decline. Here’s why
July 12, 2023
June 27, 2023
The Camino
The Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago, known in English as the Way of St. James, is a network of Christian pilgrims’ ways. There are different routes, notably the Spanish Way, The French Way and the Portugal Way, all leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in the northwest of Spain. The legend has it that the remains of St. James the Great, one of the twelve Apostles, are buried there.
It has medieval routs. Ever since the Middle Ages, people have undertaken the pilgrimage. Since the 90s, the Spanish government has promoted the Camino and others followed suit. The 2010 American-Spanish film “The Way” about a father, starring Martin Sheen, walking the Camino following his son’s death on the route, saw the jump its popularity. Today, some 350,000 people from all over the world walk the Camino. In this modern era, I imagine that the religious and spiritual elements of the Way have diminished, though some do regard it as a walking meditation. Mostly it is just an interesting walking/hiking route.
Back in the summer of 2014, shortly after I turned 50, I walked from Leon in Spain to Santiago de Compostela in 13 days, covering a distance of 244 km. I thought it would be a memorable way to celebrate the occasion and reflect on my life. I loved it. I always enjoy walking. The scenery along the way was lovely, well, mostly. It was a very sociable endeavor where you inevitably meet people – you always bump into the same walkers. I set off on my own and ended up walking with a group of friends, led by a wonderful German lady Patrizia, who is still a friend to this day.
This time, I went for the Portugal Way, starting from Porto in northern Portugal. A short one but super sweet. The landscape is even more beautiful compared to the Spanish Way as one can walk on the seafront. Besides, there are many cafes dotted around where I would stop for freshly squeezed orange juice, custard tarts and cod fritters. Heavenly! Already I am hugely looking forward to returning and finishing the remaining trail to Santiago.
The symbol of the Camino is a scallop shell, which also functions as a signpost. There are everywhere. You just follow it when you walk.
Back in 2014, after walking the Camino, I advised a journalist friend to write a piece about the Camino and its commercialization. Here’s his piece.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/01/world/europe/lifting-the-soul-and-the-spanish-economy-too.html
June 6, 2023
June 4 Anniversary
On the 34th Anniversary of ‘June 4’
At the darkest hour 34 years ago, something unthinkable happened. The Chinese government opened fire at the peaceful protestors at Tiananmen Square.
It was a no-event day in China. In HK, the police detained dozens who attempted to commemorate the anniversary. It is an occasion that deserves to be remembered as the monumental event has shaped China’s political landscape.
Here’s my piece published in NYT back in 2009. I believe the point I made then is still valid.
May 24, 2023
May 22, 2023
China exhibition
Last week, I attended the opening reception of the major exhibition – China’s Hidden Century – at the British Museum. I got the invitation because I helped them with the section on Qiu Jin, China’s first feminist and revolutionary. I am just finishing a historical novel inspired by Qiu Jin. In fact, I was quoted there. Besides, on the right hand side of Qiu Jin screen, there’s a bar code. If you scan it, you can also hear her fascinating life story. I did the voice over.
The Qing Dynasty, especially its tail end, was a particularly violent and turbulent time, caused by the aggression by the Western powers, notable the British. It was also a time of intellectual fermentation. Ever since the Opium Wars smashed open China’s doors, all sorts of ideas flooded in. All of these are reflected in the exhibition, even though it is mostly apolitical.
Anyway, I had a great time at the reception. I met old friends as well as all sorts of interesting people, including a former British diplomat who donated a piece of calligraphy by Kang Youwei, a highly accomplished calligrapher as well as a prominent political thinker who launched the Hundred Days Reform, a modernization drive.
The organizers claim that the exhibition will “open a new page in public understanding of late imperial China.” It is really well-done. Go to see it when you can.
May 21, 2023
Investing in peace
As G7 leaders gathered in Hiroshima, Jonathan Cohen of Conciliation Resources asks: when are is on the rise, why are these leaders not investing in peace?
May 10, 2023
birthday fundraising
Dear Friends:
I look forward to welcoming you to my party on the 20th. No gifts please, particularly no flowers. If you like, please consider making a donation to charity Engage With China. Please see below my note on my birthday fundraising. Absolutely no pressure. I hope you don’t mind my raising the issue. Many thanks in advance.
See you soon.
My Birthday Fundraising
My birthday is two days away. This year, I’d like to raise some funds for a British charity Engage With China, to which I am a cultural ambassador.
Engage with China provides an educational introduction to China’s cultural and historical context and adds depth to modern British education by building necessary 21st-century skills. In other words, the charity is trying to introduce the Chinese language and culture to schools in the UK.
As many Western countries have turned hostile towards China, it is more important than ever that people in the West should have a better understanding of my home country. I whole-hearted support what EWC does, therefore my fund-raising effort. So instead of saying happy birthday to me or giving me any gifts, please make a donation to Engage With China, if you like. Here’s the link: Unleash cultural curiosity – JustGiving
Many thanks in advance. You’ll be my friend forever!
Love Lijia
May 7, 2023
Coronation
I am not a royalist. I think a monarchy is undemocratic and out of line with modern life. I am certainly not a fan of the British royal family, which has been mired in controversy (Prince Andrew, Harry and such). Will the King Charles III be an enlightened king? Hard to imagine. At this Coronation, people had to swear allegiance to the King! I find it laughable that some would brave the wind and rain and camp outside overnight and so on. Don’t they have someone in their own life they can love and admire? Some argue that the monarchy provides the British people with a sense of national identity. If the British national identity has to rest solely on the monarchy, then that’s very sad.
Yet when a friend kindly invited me to his Coronation lunch party, I didn’t hesitate. Well, I am also a keen social observer. It turned out that most guests at the party are not royalists, either. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Who wouldn’t want a fun party with great food, interesting people and lively discussion? Thank you Chris and Ari for the fab party!
April 26, 2023
Okay Worth
Worth
A few days ago, I went to see play Worth at Arcola Theatre. It is a dark comedy about inheritance and sibling rivalry in a British Chinese family. The day before their mother’s funeral, four siblings get together in their family home, expecting to find inheritance. They only find 44 pounds. Along the way, dark family secrets – childhood abuse, suicide and grievances – emerge.
The premise looked promising but sadly it didn’t quite deliver. The script, by Joanne Lau, lost its footing and slipped into a soap drama. Some of the tension felt contrived; certain details – the older brother having an affair with his younger brother’s wife – were unnecessary and the performances lacked subtly.
Nevertheless, I am glad that there is such a play about a British Chinese family.
