In September, the Chinese Mutual Aid Workers’ Club (the Club) participated in Westminster City Council’s annual Open House Festival for the first time. As part of our participation, we opened the doors of the Club to the public on the 13th and 20th of September. Our aim was to give visitors an introduction into Chinese musical instruments and Chinese Chess.
Over the two Sundays, we received about 200 visitors in total. They included not just English people, but also Germans, French, Dutch, Spanish, Algerians, Moroccans and Malaysians. A number of visitors even spoke Mandarin and Cantonese. We welcomed them all with a cup of Chinese tea.
The visitors were very interested in the different sounds of the Chinese musical instruments and how they were played, such as the Erhu and Guzheng. They were also fascinated with how Chinese Chess was played; one visitor even engaged in a game with our in-house chess expert Wong Ming-Kun.
It was wonderful to see how interested the visitors were in Chinese history and culture. This sparked many interesting questions and discussions. Most gratifying was to see a clear shift in their perceptions of China as they discovered aspects of its history and culture that were previously unknown to them.
We can conclude that our Club’s participation in this year’s Open House Festival was a success and a very positive experience for both the hosts and the visitors. It enhanced the visibility and reputation of our Club and promoted a better and deeper understanding of Chinese history and culture among our visitors. We will definitely participate in the Open House Festival again next year.
開放日節
今年九月份，華僑互助工團（簡稱「工團」）首次參加了威斯敏斯特市議會舉辦的年度「開放日」。作為活動的一部分，我們在九月十三及二十日向公眾開放了會所，旨在向訪客介紹中國樂器與中國象棋。
在這兩個主日我們一共接待了約 二百名訪客。訪客群體多元，不僅有英國人還有來自德國、法國、荷蘭、西班牙、阿爾及利亞、摩洛哥和馬來西亞的人士。其中一些訪客甚至會說普通話或粵語。我們以一杯中國茶熱情款待了每一位訪客。
訪客對中國樂器（如二胡和古箏）獨特的音色及演奏方式表現出濃厚的興趣。他們也對中國象棋的玩法充滿好奇，甚至有一位訪客還與我們的象棋專家黃明坤切磋了一局。
令人驚訝的是，訪客們對中國歷史和文化整體上也表現出極大的興趣，這引發了許多有趣的問題和討論。最令人欣喜的是，當訪客們了解到先前未曾知曉的中國歷史與文化知識時，能明顯看出他們對中國的看法正在轉變。 我們可以斷定，工團參與今年的「開放日」取得了圓滿成功，為組織者和訪客都帶來了非常積極的體驗。這項活動不僅提升了工團的知名度與聲譽，也促進了訪客對中國歷史文化的深入了解。我們明年定將再次參加這項活動
开放日节
今年九月份，华侨互助工团（简称“工团”）首次参加了威斯敏斯特市议会举办的年度“开放日节”。作为活动的一部分，我们在九月十三及二十日向公众开放了会所，旨在向访客介绍中国乐器与中国象棋。
在这两个周日里我们一共接待了约 二百名访客。访客群体多元，不仅有英国人还有来自德国、法国、荷兰、西班牙、阿尔及利亚、摩洛哥和马来西亚的人士。其中一些访客甚至会说普通话或粤语。我们以一杯中国茶热情款待了每一位访客。
访客们对中国乐器（如二胡和古筝）独特的音色及演奏方式表现出浓厚的兴趣。他们也对中国象棋的玩法充满好奇，甚至有一位访客还与我们的象棋专家黄明坤切磋了一局。
我们可以断定，工团参与今年的“开放日节”取得了圆满成功，为组织者和访客都带来了非常积极的体验。此次活动不仅提升了工团的知名度与声誉，还促进了访客对中国历史文化的深入了解。我们明年定将再次参加这一活动。