Contact: Joanne Guilmette
Phone: 518/474-8730
Fax: 518/486-3696
E-Mail: jguilmet@mail.nysed.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NYS MUSEUM PLANS PROGRAMS CELEBRATING CHINESE HERITAGE

Albany, New York -- 10/31/2005

ALBANY – The New York State Museum continues its celebration of Chinese heritage with a series of programs planned in conjunction with Beijing: Ancient City, Modern City, a photography exhibition in the Museum’s Terrace Gallery that depicts the ancient and modern life of that capital city.

            All programs are co-sponsored by the U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association. The Beijing exhibition, open through December 31, includes 34 photographs that define Beijing as an ancient city and modern metropolis.

            The program schedule includes:
Oct. 30, 2 to 4 p.m. Alice Cheang, Ph.D., will discuss the "Silver Treasury," a series of ancient Chinese love poems that she has translated. The poems provide a glimpse of China's yesteryears. Nov. 6, 2 to 5 p.m. Storyteller Mary Murphy and local art teacher Alison Stonbely, former artists with the Imagination Celebration, will host a family event: "East Meets West."  In addition to stories, participants will help make and decorate paper Chinese hats and sing traditional songs. Nov. 20, 2 to 4 p.m. To mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Edward Bloch, a U.S. Marine veteran who was stationed in China, will describe life there.  Dec. 4, 2 to 5 p.m. A Chinese dance performance will be followed by a Chinese movie. Soft drinks will be served. Dec.11, 2 to 5 p.m. Asian expert Steven A. Leibo, a professor of International History and Politics at Russell Sage College in Troy, will speak about world

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events with an emphasis on China. His talk will be followed by two dance performances and a presentation about costumes from several Chinese dynasties.

More information will be available on the U.S.-China People’s Friendship Association Web site: www.uscpfany.org.

The New York State Museum is a cultural program of the New York State Department of Education.  The state museum is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.  Admission is free.

Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

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