1. Programme
For information on our summer programme, click
HERE.
Remember our new meeting venue,
United Arts Club,
3 Fitzwilliam Street,
(just off Baggot Street,)
Dublin 2.
2. John deCourcy Ireland, 1911 - 2006
Members were greatly saddened last month to learn of the death of our very distinguished colleague and dear friend, Dr John de Courcy Ireland, a founder member of the Society and the presenter of so many outstanding talks over the years.
John was born in India in 1911. His father, a British army major, died of typhoid in China three years later and was buried in Beijing, and his mother was unable to return to Ireland until 1917, because of the war. She went back to Beijing in 1919 to remarry, and wrote frequently to John. So he was intimately aware of China and its culture from an early age.
John was educated in Marlborough where he won a history scholarship to Oxford. Too young for Oxford, before commencing his studies he went away to sea; this was a very formative episode in shaping his views on social justice and his interest in things maritime.
His many careers involved teaching, research for the Maritime Institute, secretary of the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat, linguist fluent in Chinese, Arabic, Serbo-Croat, Portuguese and three other languages, author of a large number of books, lecturer on maritime history in twenty countries, political activist in many socialist parties and in many causes such as nuclear disarmament, anti-apartheid, environmental and social justice matters and the anti-war movement. One of his best friends aptly described him as "a master of language, a lucid lecturer and virtually irreplaceable".
He campaigned here in Ireland in support of China after the main Japanese invasion in 1936, and his interest and support remained just as strong for the rest of his life.
President McAleese spoke of the many causes John championed with passion and commitment and of the international recognition of his work. This recognition came with major international honours conferred on him by foreign governments. Not least among these was the title of “Ambassador of Friendship” conferred by China on John (and on Dermot Kinlen) four years ago. This title is held by only 51 distinguished people worldwide, including the late Prime Minister Ted Heath, one of just three UK recipients.
An Taoiseach spoke of John as man of great principle, a committed lifelong socialist with great independence of thought, never flinching from taking unpopular positions and yet a man with a great quality of gentleness.
We would like to offer our condolences to John's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
3. CPAFFC Visit to Ireland
President Chen arriving at Dublin Airport
The highlight of our year was the very successful visit in January of a delegation from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC, aka Youxie). This was a very important occasion for us. Though we have have been hosts to five previous delegations from Youxie, not only was this by far the largest, but also it was led by its President, Mr Chen Haosu. There were altogether six Youxie delegates (including two Director Generals) as our guests, accompanied by three local administrators who came on a self-paying basis. Mr Chen’s Ministerial status enabled an intensive programme of high-level meetings to be planned for them.
For a special section about their hectic schedule and some photographs, click HERE..
(An almost complete pictorial record was made by our Vice-President Norman O'Galligan using a video camera. He will be showing this video after the AGM on Wednsday 24th May.)
Happily, the Ireland China Association joined us in co-hosting the visit, and the Department of Foreign Affairs helped generously. His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Xinsen, who accompanied the delegates on their Dublin visits, Counsellor Fan Jian, who accompanied them to Cork, and other members of the Chinese Embassy gave great support. We are very grateful to all these groups.
After a VIP welcome at Dublin Airport the group travelled by coach to Cork.The long journey to and from Cork was well worth while because of the outstanding programme that had been arranged for Sunday 22nd, thanks to the wonderful work of Anne McKernan and the Irish Chinese Contact Group, to whom we are very deeply indebted.
With President McAleese
We were honoured and delighted that this delegation led by Mr Chen came to Ireland. We believe that their visit was a very fruitful one, with many contacts made, views exchanged, and possibilities of cooperation explored. We are very grateful to all those who received them here and made the visit so successful.
We hope and believe that the delegates enjoyed their visit here, brief and crowded though it was, and that the ties of friendship between our organisations have been further strengthened.
4. Origins and Customs of the Chinese New Year
The January talk by Yanyi Blake
In our January talk, Yanyi Blake gave a fascinating insight into a social phenomenon that is becoming increasingly of interest in the west, the Chinese New Year. Yanyi's delightful presentational style, grounded on wide and accurate knowledge, scarcely came as a surprise to those who had heard the wonderful "Silk Road" talk that she and Tony gave us.
Yanyi has kindly made an outline of her talk available for a wider audience; it can be found HERE.
5. ASPECTS OF THE CHINESE COLLECTION IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
The February talk by Audrey Whitty
On 22 February Audrey Whitty treated us to a wonderful and copiously illustrated talk on the Chinese Collection in the National Museum. The munificence of Albert Bender, a Dublin man who emigrated to San Francisco, contributed largely to both the Chinese and the Japanese collections. In total he presented 260 valuable and rare objects to the museum, of which we were shown many examples: porcelain, ceramics, statuettes, snuff bottles and sweetmeat containers as well as tapestry and silk wall hangings.
The Fonthill Vase
Pride of place must go to the so-called Fonthill Vase which dates from about 1300. This vase, the earliest recorded Chinese porcelain in Europe, is one of the most valuable such pieces in the world. Audrey outlined its extraordinary history involving Nestorian Christians, Hungarian and French royalty, the French Revolution and William Bedford of Fonthill Abbey in Bedfordshire from which it takes its name. It was not recognised for what it was until the 1960s.
We also saw some of the eight Tang Dynasty tomb animal figures and the three larger and more elaborate highly decorated horses which also date from that Dynasty.
Particularly appealing were a highly stylised dog statue which had been guarding a temple, several blanc de chine figures, many white jade pieces and the magnificent Tibetan silk temple hangings which had been sought by the Louvre.
We learned a little of Bender’s life, his friendship with Yeats, Gogarty and many writers as well as artists like Diego Rivera whose visit to the United States he facilitated and photographers such as the great Ansel Adams, his gifts to Mills College in Stanford University as well as other Californian colleges and museums. His love for Ireland and the National Museum never waned and he was sending artefacts until shortly before his death in 1941.
Audrey told us of her hopes to mount a major exhibition of the Bender Collection in 2007. In the meantime much of it is to be seen in What’s in Store exhibition, a treasure trove in the northeast corner of the Square in Collins Barracks.
Audrey’s infectious enthusiasm for the material which she curates gave us a truly stimulating evening.
Audrey Whitty M.A. is Curator of Ceramics, Glass & Asian collections
in the Art & Industrial Division
National Museum of Ireland,
Collins Barracks,
Benburb Street,
Dublin 7,
Ireland.
Public opening hours are
Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am to 5pm
and on Sundays 2pm to 5pm.
Tel: +353 1 6777444
Tel LoCall: 1890 687 386
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6. Confucius and Einstein:
The Past and Future of Mankind
The March talk by Prof. Tao Kiang
Confucius said, "What You Don't Like, Don't Do To Others".
Jesus said "Treat others in the same way as you would like other to treat you". The emphasis of a recent Channel 4 Opinion Poll is that "this is the New FIRST commandment". The two statements are the negative and positive formulations of the same Golden Rule based on reciprocity (and on nothing else). Which sums up ancient wisdom as to how one should behave in society, without any reference to anything supra-human.
The Golden Rule is, somehow, LIMITED. But the Golden Rule is the best we can have when there are limited resources in the society. Einstein's formula, E= m c2, promises a society of unlimited resources. Actual implementation is a matter of technology. Looking beyond today's problems, we can foresee a world of unparalleled plenty.
A world of plenty for everybody ? or one of even greater inequality ? Is greed an innate part of human nature ? Is power ? Or are they the products of a society of limited resources ? Certainly all the existing laws and institutions are such products. To be able to enjoy the full goodness of a world of plenty implicit in Einstein's formula, we must start ask these fundamental questions.
Professor Tao Kiang
Above are the bones of Tao's presentation, though without the fascinating fleshing-out that he gave us. This was a deeply thought-provoking talk, which gave rise to one of the longest discussion sessions we have had. Once again we are greatly indebted to our distinguished Founder Member and past President.
7. Ancient echoes in the modern world:
traditional music in modern China today
The April talk by Dr. Hwee-San Tan
The term "Traditional Music" covers a vast range of activities: Dr. Tan's main focus in this audio-visual presentation was on the sort of traditional music associated with groups having members who are not full-time musicians.
She told us that traditional Chinese music is under great threat to its survival. The growth of Western music, Chinese pop, Chinese "traditional" orchestras, and modern music groups who are changing the concept of traditional music by making it commercial and adding a sexy image - all these are making the traditional village groups look tired and old. Indeed, Karaoke is competing in every village in China with traditional music groups. The Cultural revolution too was repressive of traditional music, perceived as relating to feudal ideas and not in keeping with the emerging revolutionary China.
Dr Tan Hwee-San is a lecturer in the School of Music, UCD.
However, Dr Tan said it is not entirely doom and gloom, with many music groups still enjoying playing music in the tea houses and participating in many of the street festivals through the year. As in Ireland, festivals and events such as weddings, funerals, and harvests are occasions where traditional music is appreciated and in demand.
Dr Tan gave a superb presentation, with many musical and audio-visual illustrations, including some of her own field recordings. (She coped with great aplomb with some equipment-related hiccups.) Her talk provoked a lengthy discussion, with questions ranging widely over the whole field of Chinese music: the audience, having found someone who could answer their questions authoritatively, was unwilling to let her go.
A most informative and enjoyable night for all who attended. Thank you, Dr. Tan.
8. Chinese New Year Dinner January 2006
On Monday 30th January 100 members, guests and friends celebrated the year of the Dog and the start of Spring Festival at Wongs Chinese Restaurant, Ranelagh, Dublin.
Miriam O'Callaghan and "Oscar" Zhang
A great night was had with superb food supplied by the restaurant, great atmosphere, and great entertainment, both from our singer Ma-Na and all the volunteer singers who joined in. Katherine Chan Mullen did a great job as MC. Our raffle, with so many generously donated prizes, was an excellent feature of the night.
We were delighted to be able to welcome the new Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Zhang Xinsen
Our New Year Dinner is the high point of our social calendar, and much thanks go to the committee for their work on this event. Early in the autumn the Committee review the previous years celebration, and take on board any issues which may have arisen to help in planning the next celebration. Restaurants are visited to check for suitability and availability. Once the restaurant is selected, the Committee then begin the task of agreeing the menu with the restaurant. Closer to the time, the membership are advised of the details of venue, time, cost and payment arrangements. Tickets have to be printed. As bookings are confirmed table plans are drawn up, table decorations are created and final details are confirmed to the restaurant.
Committee members are on duty throughout to ensure that all have a good time. I should like to express thanks on your behalf for all the trojan work completed by your committee to make the evening so enjoyable.
Some more photographs from the dinner can be found HERE.
9. Information for Members by Email
The ICCS would like to set up an email data base of its members to keep them up to date on events which are happening in between issues of this newsletter. If you would like to get such information from the society would you kindly E-mail me at the address below and mark your reference ICCS E-mail data base.
This information will neither be shared with any other organisation nor passed on to any other external source.
E-mail:
iccs@oceanfree.net
Colm Coleman
This Newsletter
is published by the
Irish-Chinese Cultural
Society.
Views expressed by individual contributors do not represent any
official policy of the Irish-Chinese Cultural Society.
We would be delighted to receive articles, photos and stories for our newsletter.
The Editor welcomes all submissions, but cannot absolutely guarantee the return of any photos or documents
supplied, and reserves the right to shorten or modify any letter or material submitted.
Please send to the Editor
Colm Coleman, 3 Pacelli Ave., Sutton, Dublin 13.
E-mail: iccs@oceanfree.net
