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Online culture vultures alight on precious heritage
July 6, 2009, Monday
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THE legends behind Hangzhou's historic architecture have enchanted young people and brought them together to tour the sites.
A community of around 470 Netizens on Douban, a social networking site, took shape last year and now the group goes sightseeing each month.
Members visit classical private gardens, residential blocks, temples, churches and pagodas along Beishan, Nanshan, Xishan and Zhongshan roads, and elsewhere.
The group was formed on National Youth Day, last May 4, by Wang Yujia, a graduate in environmental art design. Since then, four community leaders have organized trips.
The walks have attracted around 660 people, mostly students and young professionals in fine arts, literature, architecture, linguistics, tourism and photography.
They now plan to visit historic buildings in the city center, including those built during the Republic of China period (1911-1949). Architecture reveals the thinking and values in given periods and visiting in person helps people understand culture.
"A sense of history is very important. I hope this community can provide young people an opportunity to learn about traditional architecture and culture," says group founder Wang.
For his graduate thesis, Wang was researching the old architecture on Nanshan Road and was disappointed in the lack of preservation. Many old buildings were severely damaged because of the city's new building projects as well as lack of upkeep.
"I hope our passion for community history and traditional architecture will increase awareness of the need for historic preservation," says Wang, "and keep history vivid for young people."
The touring-history community has increased in popularity. In June organizers and members took part in the City Memory program of the Sound of Xihu Lake radio channel in Hangzhou.
"The participants were much more enthusiastic than I had expected and new people join each month," says Wang. "We are establishing friendships."
The touring events have also attracted university professors and lecturers who have become consultants.
The community also documents each tour online, provides written materials, photos and videos about historic sites.
"We will carry on and hope this collection can be published," says Wang.
Hyatt summer ball - a feast of art and gastronomy
Hyatt Regency Hangzhou has presented its annual luxury art and gastronomy feast at the 4th Anniversary Hyatt Summer Charity Ball.
This year's gala on June 27 was one of the premier fund-raising events for underprivileged children in Hangzhou. All proceeds went toward the Hyatt Charity Relief Fund to assist children with heart problems from needy families.
The gala presented a whole new concept: it showcased a theatrical evening with East-meets-West fine dining, highlighted by artists who presented a repertoire of Italian and Kunqu operas.
A community of around 470 Netizens on Douban, a social networking site, took shape last year and now the group goes sightseeing each month.
Members visit classical private gardens, residential blocks, temples, churches and pagodas along Beishan, Nanshan, Xishan and Zhongshan roads, and elsewhere.
The group was formed on National Youth Day, last May 4, by Wang Yujia, a graduate in environmental art design. Since then, four community leaders have organized trips.
The walks have attracted around 660 people, mostly students and young professionals in fine arts, literature, architecture, linguistics, tourism and photography.
They now plan to visit historic buildings in the city center, including those built during the Republic of China period (1911-1949). Architecture reveals the thinking and values in given periods and visiting in person helps people understand culture.
"A sense of history is very important. I hope this community can provide young people an opportunity to learn about traditional architecture and culture," says group founder Wang.
For his graduate thesis, Wang was researching the old architecture on Nanshan Road and was disappointed in the lack of preservation. Many old buildings were severely damaged because of the city's new building projects as well as lack of upkeep.
"I hope our passion for community history and traditional architecture will increase awareness of the need for historic preservation," says Wang, "and keep history vivid for young people."
The touring-history community has increased in popularity. In June organizers and members took part in the City Memory program of the Sound of Xihu Lake radio channel in Hangzhou.
"The participants were much more enthusiastic than I had expected and new people join each month," says Wang. "We are establishing friendships."
The touring events have also attracted university professors and lecturers who have become consultants.
The community also documents each tour online, provides written materials, photos and videos about historic sites.
"We will carry on and hope this collection can be published," says Wang.
Hyatt summer ball - a feast of art and gastronomy
Hyatt Regency Hangzhou has presented its annual luxury art and gastronomy feast at the 4th Anniversary Hyatt Summer Charity Ball.
This year's gala on June 27 was one of the premier fund-raising events for underprivileged children in Hangzhou. All proceeds went toward the Hyatt Charity Relief Fund to assist children with heart problems from needy families.
The gala presented a whole new concept: it showcased a theatrical evening with East-meets-West fine dining, highlighted by artists who presented a repertoire of Italian and Kunqu operas.
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