AN EXHIBITION which explores the culture and history of British Chinese communities has come to Reading Libraries.
In a partnership with the British Library, Reading Library Services has launched a series of events and displays exploring the stories, crafts, and reflections on the history of British Chinese communities.
Reading Central Library is now home to a free exhibition, inspired by the British Library’s Chinese and British, which reflects on the history of Chinese communities in the UK through a series of photos, manuscripts, and interviews.
It will also see a traditional Chinese brush painting workshop as well as a crafts and storytelling session with members of the Wukong Education online school.
A collection of films has been released which explore the stories of British Chinese people from across the UK, produced by the British Film Institute.
Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to work in partnership with Reading’s Chinese Community to enhance our latest exhibition with hands on activities.
“Join us to celebrate the lasting legacy of this vibrant community.
“You can catch the library’s fascinating free exhibition, which we are hosting in partnership with the British Library, at Reading Central Library,
“Take part in some wonderful free brush painting sessions this weekend, or the next weekend come along for our Chinese stories and crafts session.”
Mrs Shuangqi Wu, the business development manager of WuKong Education at Reading, said: “We want our storytelling and crafts sessions to be fun and inspire kids to learn.
“Holding the event in collaboration with Reading Borough Council and Reading Borough Libraries is a great way to bring our communities closer together, celebrating our differences and connections.
“I feel it is particularly important to have bilingual storytelling in our sessions involving both Chinese and English speakers.”
The British Library’s Chinese and British exhibition runs until Sunday, April 23, next year.
Chinese Brush painting session takes place at Reading Central Library on Saturday, December 3, from 11am to 1pm.
The story telling session will see an English and Mandarin reading of Nian the New Year Monster, as part of Reading Telling Stories, at RCL on Saturday, December 10, from 1pm- to 2.30pm.
The display is available to view for free at RCL.
The collection of interviews is available to watch online via: player.bfi.org.uk
