Chinese Culture Draws a Crowd

The adult summer reading program continued Tuesday night at the with a presentation by the founder of Chinese Cultural Exchange.

Ming Hua He, the founder of Chinese Cultural Exchange, was the guest speaker at . The Chinese Cultural Exchange, which was established in 1994, sponsors trips for anyone in the United States to further explore China. 

The organization also helps in the adoption of children, including the mentally and physically disabled, from China to the United States. 

“One family found adopting a Chinese child so rewarding, that I helped them to adopt five more,” Hua He said. “It’s not how much you can do, it’s about how much you’re willing to do.”

After her lecture, Hua He showed a video about the history of the Great Wall of China and taught the crowd some common Chinese characters.  Hua He also wrote people's first name in Chinese at the end of the presentation.  

“The whole thing was very interesting and well presented.  The part I found most interesting was the importance of Jade in the Chinese community,” former Rocky Hill resident Caitlin Guarino said. 

In the Chinese community, Jade is looked at as a link from the past to the future, according to Hua He. 

“When we are gone we turn to dust, but Jade will always remain and link us all together,” Hua He said. 

The gemstone also plays an important role in Chinese marriages, according to Hua He.  When a Chinese child is born their parents keep track of all of their child’s major milestones on pieces of paper. They date the pieces of paper and place them in a jade vase. When the child gets married, they give them the vase to read all the pieces of paper on their wedding night. 

Cora J. Belden Library director Mary Hogan was pleased with the turnout and presentation. 

The event was part of the adult summer reading program titled novel destinations that started on June 13.

The next adult summer reading program will be on Aug. 16 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Stepney Room about Irish heritage.