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Scotland Celebrates Chinese Culture
On Thursday 7 February, Chinese New Year celebrates the year of the Rat. For the Royal Botanic Garden (RBGE) in Edinburgh, 2008 will be the first year they acknowledge it with a special event – Spirit: a Chinese Spring Lantern Festival
"This isn't the first time that we’ve had an international display," says RBGE Press Officer, Shauna Hay. "We work with more than 40 countries across the world and we often do smaller scale exhibitions. But I believe this is the first Chinese lantern one, so it's unique! With 'Spirit', we’re trying to highlight plants of Chinese origin along with the beauty of the lanterns.
"Our Chinese links are particularly strong. We have a field station in China in Yulong Xue Shan, which is a mountain in the Yunnan province. And we’re about to open an office to allow even closer working ties with our sister organisation, Kunming Institute of Botany."
With a field station in China, the RBGE can preserve rare plants. Shauna says, "We have the largest living collection of Chinese plants outside of China.
"We've had this link for more than a century. The reason we specialise in Chinese plants is historic. It goes back to the days of the empire. That's why plants such as rhododendrons, gentians and lilies are a familiar sight in Scottish gardens. In the past, it might have been seen as stealing, but it's become very positive. We are now conserving and, where appropriate, returning plants that are endangered or extinct in their native habitat."
Apart from saving plants from extinction, some plants could also hold the answer to many medical questions. "We are well aware that new plant species may be disappearing before they can be identified," says Shauna. "To put the importance of China in context, the UK only has 1,400 native plants, whereas China has 30, 000. And we still find new ones to this day."
During 'Spirit', visitors will be taken through an illuminated journey through the glasshouses containing the plants.
"The visit to 'Spirit' lasts half-an-hour. The display will be enhanced by the sounds of a dulcimer (a Chinese instrument) and recordings of RBGE staff talking about the plants. In our living collection, the display includes giant bamboo, orchid and a lychee tree. They are in the public areas of the garden and in the glasshouses. The preserved collection in the Herbarium are delicate and kept in glass jars. These were the inspiration for 'Spirit'. The local Chinese community have given us tremendous insight to ensure our accuracy. It's important we acknowledge their valuable help," says Shauna.
'Spirit' is a result of a collaboration of the RBGE, the Scottish Government and the environmental arts charity, NVA (Nationale Vitae Activa). Shauna says, "We get funding from the government for our international work in Scotland, and we were keen to be involved with 'Spirit'. We approached the environmental arts charity, NVA (Nationale Vitae Activa) because they had an outstanding reputation."
The RBGE also has an 'Art-tastic' event to mark Chinese New Year. "We run 'Art-tastic' throughout the year. Many of them are getting a specific angle now. So for example, we have one that has a Chinese angle because it falls very near Chinese New Year. At this event, people can create a paper wall-hanging of painted blossoms with their own seal", says Shauna.
'Spirit' launches 'China-Now in Scotland', a year-long celebration of Chinese culture with events taking place in Scotland and throughout the UK.
Shauna says, "We feel privileged to host the event. It's very exciting for us and a great opportunity to provide the public with an international display. Everyone here is very proud of it."
Spirit: Chinese Spring Lantern Festival runs from 22 February-9 March 2008
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