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Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China

Understanding China through the eyes of four children

Now – May 16, 2010

Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China, an exhibit designed to engage children and families in learning about one of the oldest civilizations – and now among the most modern in the world – through some of its young people, will open at Minnesota Children’s Museum on Saturday, February 6. Created by Boston Children’s Museum (BCM) and sponsored by State Street and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the exhibit will be at Minnesota Children’s Museum through May 16, 2010 before continuing its tour throughout the United States and Canada.

Children of Hangzhou presents four children from Hangzhou at home, at school, in the library, in the theater and in the countryside. The Hangzhou young people will introduce themselves through media and the activities of their daily lives. Visitors will discover that Chinese life today mixes ancient traditions with modern lifestyles and that life in China is both similar to and different from life in North America. The young Chinese in the exhibit will be a bridge to learning about China and building cross-cultural understanding. The exhibit features original artwork created to present a unique Chinese aesthetic that delivers an immediate and unmistakable impression: You are in China.

The exhibit is organized into several components:

Bus Stop, where visitors “enter” Hangzhou, China, and “meet” the four children;
Wu Lin Men Apartments, where visitors “meet” Weicheng and his family in their apartment, and learn to cook a birthday meal for this grandmother;
Yellow Dragon Theater, where visitors “meet” Qianyun, who is studying Chinese opera, and join in a performance of White Snake Lady or play traditional instruments;
Bao Chu Ta Middle School, where visitors “meet” Gangzheng at school, learn about the Great Wall and count on the abacus;
Pavilion, where visitors learn about Chinese writing, poetry, and yin and yang, the traditional worldview of balance and dualities in nature;
Hangzhou Children’s Library, where visitors can check out the latest software and learn about China;
Huang Tian Fan Village, where visitors “meet” Doudou, help her plant rice seedlings with her grandfather, and learn how two thirds of people in China live – on the land.

Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China was produced by Boston Children’s Museum All underlying materials, including all artwork and the use of Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China characters are used with permission of Boston Children’s Museum.