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Let out your special talent
By Samuel



We live in an age where we are nearly drowned by American movies. Robots, hi-tech gears and disastrous bombings are so much that they nearly choke me to death. Why not enjoy something pleasant from the other side of the Atlantic?

Billy Elliot is a small budget British film but holds a special flavor of northern England’s countryside, the toughness of coalmine strikers, and all those bittersweet memories of one’s childhood. The story has no Lords, no Spiderman, no pirates, and don’t worry about getting lost in the translation. It is just a simple story but one that is extremely well-told.

The story is about a boy in a tough mining family who gradually realizes his life dream is to become a ballet dancer. In the story, Billy does not act as a self-assured lad would in most films such as this, who would be determined to beat all odds and to pursue his ballet dream. However, he constantly shifts back and forth over his love for ballet. In Michael Mclarney’s words, Billy slowly comes to realize that "...yeah, this dancing thing is kinda ...ehmn... neat... no, wait... it's a whole lotta fun!"

But things are not so easy for Billy. He lives with an impoverished mining family where his recently widowed father and overbearing brother are so tough that any tutu-related things seem to be extremely unfit. And they have no tolerance for Billy going to ballet lessons. They think it is not a manly career and they certainly cannot afford the expensive ballet courses.

So the thoughts often go through Billy’s head of whether a ballet dancer is better than a coal miner, and whether he should sacrifice his love for ballet to impose less burden on his poverty-stricken family. But finally he realizes that dancing is not just a career for him. It is his destiny.

Though Billy’s pursuit of his passion is touching, the most moving part is played by Billy’s father, a rugged coal miner, later a determined striker, and a father whose recent death of his wife makes it difficult for him to understand his kid. But it really reached into my heart when the father finally decides to swallow the humiliation of turning a scab only to earn enough money for Billy’s ballet lessons. The unconditional parental love soars to the climax. Even though the big shift in character seems a little bit abrupt, the scenes still really moved me. It reminds me of my dad who always stands by me when I am down and who would do anything for me when I need help.

In addition to the well-written plot, the movie contains wonderful music going along as the story unfolds. Swan Lake, blue rock, and pop songs are thoughtfully dubbed into the story. And you will surely enjoy the village savor of the English countryside and the fresh English accent of the North as well.

 

 

An art of war,and of more
By Happy Hong

The Art of War (孙子兵法) is the earliest military work in the world. It was written by Sun Tzu, a famous ancient Chinese strategist and military scientist, who lived about five hundred years before Christ.

This work has exerted a tremendous influence on many strategists of both ancient and modern times, as well as Chinese and foreigners. Napoleon appreciated it very much. Being inspired by "Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice (施无法之赏); publish orders without respect to precedent (悬无政之令)." (Chapter 11, The Art of War), he had been strict and fair in meting out rewards and punishments, and had broken rules to promote those who were talented and brave. Actually the book had a lot to do with the making of the French ruler.

The brilliant theories in this work are also practical and useful in many areas besides the military. "Know your enemy and know yourself (知彼知己); and you will never be defeated (百战不殆)." (Chapter 3, The Art of War). If you are preparing to take part in a sports competition, you have to know yourself as well as your opponents. If you are a businessman, you also must know yourself as well as your business rivals. Sun Tzu emphasized the importance of achieving utmost success with minimum relevant cost, which also works in regard to diplomatic strategies, business management and other respects.

Everybody encounters problems. How can you be sure that every decision you make is a sound one? Sun Tzu said, "One wins due to extravagant calculations; one loses due to less calculations; and one who doesn’t calculate has no chances of winning at all!(多算胜,少算不胜,何况于无算乎?)" (Chapter 1, The Art of War). So if you want to foresee the outcome of what you are going to do, or if you want to learn the endless strategies and win more, just study The Art of War!

The Art of War has a bi-lingual Chinese-English version. Available at Xiamen Xinhua Bookstore, the book is made up of 13 chapters and only costs RMB 3.9. After reading it, you will probably become wiser and gain more confidence to handle your daily problems.

 

Tingxi ancient kiln site



Tingxi ancient kiln site(汀溪窑址) is located at the Tingxi Reservoir of Tingxi Town in Tong’an District. Discovered in 1956 when the reservoir was built, it is a large site consisting of several ancient kilns.

The products of Tingxi kilns are mostly celadon and white porcelain. During the Song Dynasty(960-1283 AC), Tingxi kilns were the main kilns producing celadon ceramics in South China and exported a large part of their products abroad. Celadon ceramics made in Tong’an can be found from Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, north and south Asia, even all the way to east Africa and the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, which reflects the long history of open, friendly trade between Xiamen, China and countries all over the world.

Rated as municipal cultural relic in 1961,
Rated as provincial cultural relic in 1982

 

 

Message Board

Zeng Huawei Chinese painting exhibition
曾华伟画展
Time: April 10 till April 25
时间:4月10日至25日
Venue: On 2nd floor at Jiu Yu Xin Lai Gallery (opposite Hongdu Hotel)
地点:旧雨今来轩二楼展厅(宏都大酒店对门)

Symphony lecturing concerts free to students
走近交响乐 - 学生免费音乐会
Sponsor: Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra
主办单位:厦门爱乐乐团
Time: 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm, April 17
时间:4月17日下午2:30和4:00两场
Venue: Music Island Philharmonic Hall, Wan Shou Lu at 67 Wen Yuan Lu
地点:音乐岛爱乐厅,万寿路口文园路67号