Author: Alfredo Casuso

“Beautiful China, Picturesque Zhejiang” Culture and Tourism Exhibit Comes to San Francisco

Written on December 15, 2019.

“Beautiful China, Picturesque Zhejiang” Culture and Tourism Exhibit Comes to San Francisco

14 December 2019 – San Francisco, CA: the “Beautiful China, Picturesque Zhejiang” Culture and Tourism exhibit, sponsored by Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism came to San Francisco’s landmark Cartoon Art Museum today. In attendance was Huang Hangjuan, head of the Zhejiang culture and tourism delegation, and Zhai Deyu, Cultural Counselor of Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China. Mark Chandler, Director of the Office of International Trade and Commerce for San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed, welcomed the delegation to San Francisco.

“This truly is a beautiful exhibition of the beauty and culture of Zhejiang! I have been to Zhejiang before, where I have had so many beautiful memories. Its culture, nature, economy and the rapid development of high technology have made Zhejiang a remarkable destination in both leisure and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions. I hope all can enjoy this amazing display and visit Zhejiang,” said Chandler during morning welcome ceremonies attended by more than 50 members of the public including members of from the cultural, hospitality and media communities.

“Exchanges and cooperation in tourism, culture and economic areas between Zhejiang Province and the United States have been going on for a number of years,” said Ms. Huangof head of the Zhejiang culture and tourism delegation. “Now, with the rapid development in the Zhejiang province, there is a new vitality for potential partnerships with the fields of culture and tourism. I look forward to that.”

“The ‘Beautiful China, Picturesque Zhejiang’ Culture and Tourism exhibit introduces Zhejiang’s fascinating landscape gallery to the United State, providing an opportunity for members of the public to touch the real Zhejiang in a poetic and pictorial sense,” said Huang. “This exhibit will allow the American people to experience the wisdom of traditional craftsmen in Zhejiang in wonderful, interactive ways.”

During the opening ceremony at San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum, an elaborate dance of flowing choreography brought to life the landscape and culture of Zhejiang followed by a performance of “Sing Me Home”, a song made famous by Chinese American cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Afterwards, members of the public thronged to the the exhibition to experience Zhejiang’s rich cultural heritage including century-old Wang Xingji Fans, stone carving seals, Zhejiang tie-dye technique and other traditional crafts of Zhejiang.

“Culture and tourism exchanges and cooperation between Zhejiang and the United States are frequent, and both sides are committed to mutual respect, education and continued partnership,” said Mr. Zhai of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. “I hope this is the beginning of many such partnerships and exhibits here in the United States. This exhibit will further promote cultural and tourism exchanges between Zhejiang province and the United States.”

After leaving San Francisco, the “Beautiful China, Picturesque Zhejiang” exhibit will be seen in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

News Resource: Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism

Photos Provided by: Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism

Media Contacts:

Steven Ye
(646) 543-1644
xye@zjbonart.com

David Perry
415.676.7007
news@davidperry.com

Highlighting the cultural heritage and tourism resources of Zhejiang Province, China

Written on December 14, 2019.

Highlighting the cultural heritage and tourism resources of Zhejiang Province, China

Media Contact:David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@andresdavidperry-com

WHO:Zhejiang Province presents

WHAT:Special Event Highlighting the cultural heritage and tourism resources of Zhejiang Province, China

WHEN:Saturday, December 14 10am – 3pm(press event / remarks 10:30am)

WHERE:Cartoon Art Museum781 Beach StreetSan Francisco

WHY:Zhejiang Province, China hosts a unique cultural heritage and tourism showcase, highlighting the beauty and resources of Zhejiang.

About 100 miles from Shanghai, Zhejiang is recognized as a font of China’s five thousand-year-old culture, especially after the discovery in 2007 of ancient of Lisngzhu relics. Additionally, hundreds of technology companies such as Jack Ma’s Alibaba Group, have led to Zhejiang’s nickname as “the Silicon Valley of China” with one of the top three highest GDP rates in China.

Live performances of traditional song, dance and performance will take place throughout the day.

MAYOR LONDON BREED ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY FAIR AT CITY HALL

Written on December 13, 2019.

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

MAYOR LONDON BREED ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY FAIR AT CITY HALL

City Hall will be open this Sunday, December 15^th for a free, family-friendly holiday celebration, featuring musical performances, face painting, and Santa’s Workshop

San Francisco, CA — This Sunday, December 15^th, Mayor London N. Breed will host a Holiday Fair at City Hall. The Holiday Fair will take place from 10:00am until 2:00pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Mayor London N. Breed’s Holiday Fair

When: Sunday, December 15, 2019

10:00am until 2:00pm

Where: San Francisco City Hall

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

“We’re excited to open up City Hall this weekend and provide a fun, welcoming place for people to celebrate the holiday season,” said Mayor Breed. “We’ll have lots of activities and performances for people of all ages to enjoy—both in City Hall and across the street at the Winter Park. The Holiday Fair is open to all, so bring your family, friends, and neighbors!”

Part of City Hall will be transformed into Santa’s Workshop, where children will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus. There will also be a letter-writing station, where kids can mail their letters to the North Pole. There will be numerous activities and performances taking place inside City Hall, including balloon artists and face painting. Carolers and Tap Dancing Trees will perform in the Rotunda.

“I’m looking forward to San Francisco families coming to City Hall for a wonderful holiday experience for kids of all ages, from face painting to train rides and Santa’s workshop,” said City Administrator Naomi M. Kelly. “City Hall is the people’s palace and with Mayor Breed’s leadership we will open it up for families in every neighborhood to take part in this holiday celebration.”

In addition to the Holiday Fair at City Hall, there will be a variety of holiday activities throughout the day around Civic Center, including a 16-passenger train, which will operate on the Grove Street side of Civic Center Plaza. Ice skating, curling lessons, games, and other activities will be available at the Winter Park in Civic Center, and there will be a holiday train exhibit at the Main Library

Buon Compleanno Nonna

Written on December 12, 2019.

Buon Compleanno Nonna

(La tradizione del Calendario di stoffa)

di David Perry, scritto il 31 Marzo, 1998

Oggi cent’anni fa, vicino ad una piccola città agricola chiamata Sontag, nella Contea di Franklin, in Virginia, in una stanza di una casa di campagna illuminata da lampade al cherosene e riscaldata da generazioni, nacque una donna meravigliosa: mia nonna.

1898.

Quell’anno mi aveva da sempre affascinato. Chiedevo più volte: “Nonna, in che anno sei nata?”

Lei si sarebbe tolta lo spillo dalla bocca – tenuto li’ mentre cuciva alcuni vestiti, pantaloni o camice per un membro della famiglia, un amico o un cliente – e mi avrebbe detto:

“1898”.

Mi sembrava sempre esotico, questo vincolo di amore vivo per un altro secolo.

Ogni mattina di Natale l’intera famiglia poteva radunarsi attorno al tesoro della nonna o di “Zia Mildred’s”, cosi’ com’era conosciuta dai miei cugini. Li’, mi sarei seduto ai suoi piedi – curando l’albero di Natale orgogliosamente – e avrei distribuito i vari regali che i cugini e gli zii, le zie e gli amici avevano portato per la festa comune. Ogni famiglia aveva dei regali tradizionali: Claire faceva sempre fresche marmellate per tutti; Buster ed Estelle davano libri; le zie Helen e Blanche davano buoni pasto per i ristoranti, e una banconota da 10$ arrotolata in sciarpe o in materiale simile.

Il mio regalo annuale era (e lo e’ ancora) i calendari di stoffa – un tipo che purtroppo si vede poco in giro. L’anno si sarebbe dispiegato, decorato con ricami di cardinali, sagge frasi, disegni di slitte, e il popolare motivo di sempre: (quello ripetuto di mia nonna) “La cucina e’ il cuore della casa”.

Il nuovo anno arrivava, l’anno vecchio era messo da parte, lavato, e conservato con decadi di anni precedenti, per essere usato come panno da cucina, con il quale tenere in caldo le torte e i panini dal forno.

“Quando il 1968 tornerà?” Chiesi a mia nonna, mentre ripiegava quell’anno problematico e lo metteva nel cassetto.

“Perché?, figliuolo” lei sorrise toccando la mia guancia di bambino di sette anni. “Mai. Il 1968 non tornerà mai più ”. Io guardavo mentre il tempo era avvolto nella stoffa, come ambra del sud, che spariva nell’armadio.

Guardai ad ogni anno in modo differente, dopo quello. I giorni, i mesi, le stagioni -tutto si ripete – meno che gli anni…

…Mai più.

La casa di mia nonna in Richmond, Virginia ( la “grande città” dove le sorelle di campagna si trasferirono prima della Seconda Guerra Mondiale) era di suoni deliziosi e melodici odori. Pane al formaggio fatto al forno; “Campane d’argento” dal pianoforte; il sugo denso dell’arrosto e il porridge al mattino; “Gloria” alla sera.

Nei pomeriggi, mia nonna si sarebbe presa cura delle rose -e del suo mini “giardino di campagna” di fagioli, fagiolini e pomodori che si arrampicavano sullo stendino, nel suo curatissimo giardino. Era un luogo che dava sulla staccionata dei buoni vicini, e di sua sorella minore, Helen, la cui casa era direttamente dall’altra parte del vicolo. Blanche, la più piccola del trio di vedove, viveva a pochi isolati, dalla mia casa -la casa dei miei genitori- il quarto angolo del quadrato famigliare.

Svegliatasi prima dell’alba (sempre come una ragazza di campagna), mia nonna avrebbe fatto colazione. Dopo mezz’ora, mia madre ad io saremmo arrivati – tre generazioni che condividevano pochi minuti prima di andare ognuno per la sua strada: mia mamma al lavoro, il figlio e nipote all’angolo per aspettare l‘autobus per la scuola, mia nonna alla macchina da cucire, la cucina, il giardino e la pause delle 3 pm con “La Tempesta Segreta” e “Il Crepuscolo della Notte”.

‘I miei programmi”, avrebbe annunciato con un bacio, quando tornavo da scuola per aspettare il ritorno di mia mamma in quelle sere. (In anni futuri, la nonna – con una nota di stizza – passo’ a “La luce che guida”, non perdonando mai i produttori de “Il Crepuscolo della Notte” per aver ucciso Nicole dopo aver finalmente sposato Adam).

Donna di compassione buddista e di conversione metodista, respingeva il fumo, l’alcool, il gioco d’azzardo, e le opinioni della maggior parte degli evangelisti televisivi, che sempre la irritavano con le loro “maniere ipocrite”.

“Non ho mai visto niente di sbagliato nel danzare tuttavia”, lei avrebbe ammiccato, contraddicendo – ho sempre pensato – un adolescente di tendenze non del tutto ‘battiste’.

Le sue passioni erano pelare mele con le ultime notizie, il suo cespuglio di rose “Mr Lincoln”, la famiglia, e giocare a dama con il suo nipote più giovane che non la faceva mai vincere.

Appoggiando le sue mani sul piano e avendo suo nipote seduto di se’, insegno’ al giovane bambino come suonare “Notti silenziosi”, “La vecchia ruvida croce”, e inni e variazioni per i seguenti 30 anni.

La sua saggezza era: “Preoccupasi e’ come una sedia a dondolo, ti da’ qualcosa da fare, ma non ti porta da nessuna parte” e “Ogni lavoro che vale, vale la pena farlo bene”. Lei diceva inoltre a suo nipote chiacchierone che “Dio ha creato due orecchie e una bocca, dunque Lui vuole che ascolti il doppio di quello che parli”.

Nannie Mildred Tyree Hoard mori’ nel 1989 all’eta’ di 92 anni, essendo stata malata solo per poco tempo. Cinque anni prima, prese un aereo per la prima volta per vedere suo nipote minore laurearsi. Quattro mesi prima, lei tagliava ancora il prato. Una settimana prima, la sua memoria sorpassava quella di un server dell’ IBM.

A tutte le nonne, questa storia e’ per voi: scritta da tutti i vostri nipoti, con prosa limita dal linguaggio, ma con la poesia di un infinito amore.

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR COVERAGE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

Written on December 9, 2019.

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR COVERAGE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

WHO: The Rainbow World Fund

WHAT: Unveils and dedicates the14^th Annual WORLD TREE OF HOPE: A 23-foot holiday tree decorated with thousands of white origami cranes, each containing written wishes of hope and peace from children and individuals from around the world. The WORLD TREE OF HOPE is the largest annual origami decorated holiday tree in the world.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 10: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

WHERE: Grace Cathedral / 1100 California Street / San Francisco

WEB: http://www.worldtreeofhope.org

HOW MUCH: FREE and open to the public

HOW TO WISH: Wishes can be submitted online for free at http://www.worldtreeofhope.org/make-a-wish/Wishes are printed, folded into origami cranes and placed on the tree

EVENT DETAIL: The dedication ceremony will feature attendance by Consul General of Japan Tomochika Uyama and performances bythe Grammy winning San Francisco Boys Chorus, Juanita MORE, Lambert Moss, Connie Champagne and Breanna Sinclairé with a blessing by The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with emcee Honey Mahogany.

WHY: Wishes are powerful: they are the seeds of action. For the 14^th year, those seeds bear fruit. At 23 feet tall with up to 17,000 delicately folded origami paper cranes, the Rainbow World Fund World Tree of Hope is a visible symbol of a world hungry for connection and peace. The process is simple: Wishes are sent in from around the world, printed, and folded into paper origami cranes by a diverse team of more than 300 Rainbow World Fund volunteers including members ofSan Francisco’s LGBTQ and Japanese American communities, survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, local children, and life-sentence prisoners from San Quentin. The origami “crane wishes” are then placed on the tree. The process takes over 2500 hours. Wishes will be added to the tree throughout December and are accepted year round. Founded by Jeff Cotter in 2000, the 501(c)3 nonprofit Rainbow World Fund is the world’s first and only all-volunteer, LGBTQ-based humanitarian aid organization. The Fund works to help people affected by natural disasters, hunger, poverty, disease, oppression and war by raising awareness in, and funds from, the LGBTQ community to support LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ people locally and around the world. The Tree was inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki, the Japanese child whose journey and death several years after the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima transformed the origami crane into a symbol of world peace. The Rainbow World Fund’s World Tree of Hope is the largest annual origami decorated holiday tree in the world.