5th Annual A Passage to China Returns to Mall of America

Details

Published on Saturday, 31 March 2012 19:20

By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer

Although we have all enjoyed an unusually mild winter here in Minnesota, the arrival of spring marks the return of the 5th annual A Passage to China that will be held at Mall of America on April 21 and 22.  This free event is devoted exclusively to Chinese culture, history and entertainment with over 50 participating organizations that will provide fun, informative interactive activities for young and old.  A great way to explore China without any hassle.  Everything has been planned and organized…all you have to do is show up. The 2-day event will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and will take place simultaneously at the Mall of America Rotunda and Sears Court at Mall of America located in Bloomington, Minn.

Each participating organization will run individual stations for visitors to engage in such activities as Chinese chess, tangrams, name translations, learning to speak Chinese, painting and calligraphy lessons, paper cutting and paper folding, making Chinese musical instruments and ribbon sticks and various other Chinese arts and crafts.  There will also be cooking demonstrations and dumpling-making lessons.

Authentic Chinese music and dance performances, as well as Chinese martial arts, will be featured at the Sears Court stage throughout the two-day event.  Beijing Opera will also be performed along with a Chinese ethnic minorities fashion show.

The Mall of America Rotunda and Sears Court undergoes a festive transformation for A Passage to China as these areas are colorfully decorated with suspended red lanterns accented with many floral touches.  Several life-size terra cotta soldiers will also be on display for that Kodak moment.

Children participating in A Passage to China will be issued special ‘passports’ in which they can collect stamps by participating at each individual interactive station. Collecting a sufficient number of stamps – a completed itinerary – will qualify them for a prize.

A Passage to China is organized by The Chinese Heritage Foundation, Minnesota’s premier organization devoted to promoting and preserving Chinese history and culture in Minnesota, along with China Insight and is supported by the more than 50 organizations that participate in this total volunteer-run event so that it can be held as a free event for the whole community to enjoy and appreciate.

See back page for complete details on the largest FREE event to be held in the Twin Cities that is devoted exclusively to Chinese culture, history and entertainment.  As noted, over 50 organizations will be participating with interactive activities for young and old so get your family, friends and neighbors together or organize an outing for your school or organization.

Additional information can be found at www.chineseheritagefoundation.org and
www.chinainsight.info.