Blooming in the West – Flowers from China
| Dates: | 11 December 2025 |
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| Times: | 18:00 - 19:00 |
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| What is it: | Talk |
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| Organiser: | School of Arts, Languages and Cultures |
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| How much: | FREE |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Age Friendly, Current University students, General public |
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| Speaker: | Fang Zong |
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Many flora species in English gardens that are often assumed to be native, including roses, peonies, chrysanthemums, camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons, to name but a few, are originally from China.
In this talk, Dr Fang ZONG will introduce some traditional garden plants of China and their journeys to the West. Their cultural symbolism, presence in art and medical applications will also be discussed. The seasonal plants will be highlighted, for example, bamboo, flowering plum and evergreen pine as the ‘Three Friends of Winter’.
Dr Fang ZONG’s Bio:
Dr Fang ZONG was a biomedical academic researcher and tutor (PhD in Medical Science from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden), and is now a museum professional, providing research, consultancy, and curation of Chinese culture.
She has been studying museum practice, Chinese culture and art from many cultural institutions and universities worldwide. She has co-curated a Chinese porcelain display for Bolton Museum and provided culture consultancy for the Portico Library etc.
She has been working at the Manchester Museum for more than 10 years and was part of the team which established the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery. She was personally awarded an Exceptional Performance Award by the University of Manchester in 2024. So far, she has published over 40 articles and blogposts on museum collections and Chinese culture. Also, she has created a series of Chinese Culture Corner and gives Collection Bites Talks to the public.
Photo By Zhao Mengjian ??? b. 1199 - d. circa 1264 Taipei: National Palace Museum., Public Domain
The Manchester Confucius Institute Public Talk Series
Manchester Confucius Institute public talks are free, informal and informative lectures aimed at anyone with an interest in Chinese culture and language.
Speaker
Fang Zong
Organisation: Manchester Museum
Travel and Contact Information
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Manchester Central Library
St Peter's Square
Manchester
