Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs. —Thomas Wolfe

New way to explore Columbia Circle

Visiting historical buildings, listening to birds’ tweeting, learning environmental protection concepts, and exploring the parallel universe... a number of “new way” has been launched this summer to further explore the Columbia Circle at 1262 Yan’an Road W. Let’s take a look.

An AR exploration activity of “solving the mystery of the former residence of Sun Fo” was launched earlier last month, which uses digital means to display architectural charm and history of the old house in the Columbia Circle. Visitors can start the AR journey under the guidance of the exquisite manual.

At the same time, more than 1,000 birds’ tweeting recorded in Shanghai and other cities throughout the country since May are broadcasted through a radio program in Tsutaya Bookstore in the Columbia Circle. 

At present, more than 50 sound art works of the project are “hidden” in 10 spots in the store, bringing readers healing warmth.

In addition to walking in the historical buildings and participating in artistic creation, visitors can also buy cultural and creative products with rich connotation and diverse themes at “wav •” by Shanghai Vanke, co-developer of the Columbia Circle. 

More residential care services for elders

Changning plans to add three community comprehensive senior service centers, three day care centers for the elderly and 16 community canteens this year, so that the elderly can enjoy the facilities at doorstep as soon as possible.

At present, construction of Jiangsu Road Community Comprehensive Senior Service Sub-center and Hongqiao Community Comprehensive Senior Service Center has been completed.

The construction of the community comprehensive service sub-center of Beixinjing is underway.

They will provide comprehensive elderly care services such as home service and recreational activities, education and learning, medical care, rehabilitation for the elderly nearby.

Meanwhile, the three day care centers to be built this year will provide day care services, rehabilitation assistance, spiritual comfort, culture and entertainment for the elderly people in need.

The 16 new canteens will improve the community catering network for the elderly.

‘Fall in love with the city’ through music

The harmonica ensemble “Fall in love with the city” submitted by Changning District was among the eight works in Shanghai stood out and entered the final of 19th Qunxing Award in music, dance, drama and folk art categories.

Qunxing Award, once every 3 years, is China’s top award for amateur talent. 

As a harmonica duet, “Fall in love with the city,” combines chromatic harmonica, chord harmonica and bass harmonica in a new performance form, interweaving the feelings and reasons to fall in love with the city.

Big discounts as Shanghai brews coffee culture week

Shanghai’s two-week coffee promotional season officially kicked off on August 4.

A wide range of discounts are being offered.

Seven coffee shops in Changning, including Ocean Grounds Coffee, etc.CAFE, LERÊVEDEMONA, Dosage Bread & Wine, Double Win Café, give away coffee at half-price.  

Shanghai’s coffee culture has been an important element of the city’s urban style and an essential element of building a high quality of life for residents and visitors.

Shanghai’s coffee market has shown strong momentum and the amount of spending by the city’s shoppers has topped domestic cities for three years in a row, according to data from Alibaba’s lifestyle services and its online shopping sites.

The most vibrant areas include neighborhoods in downtown Huangpu, Jing’an and Changning districts as well as the Pudong New Area.

The Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center, which hosts the newly-unveiled coffee trading and exhibition platform, the Shanghai International Coffee Harbor, hopes the combined import and export volume of coffee companies and relevant trading firms on the platform will reach 10 billion yuan (US$1.48 billion) by 2025.

Museum opens with ‘red lips’

Xiaohui Wang Art Museum, the first visual art museum in Shanghai, was officially opened to the public on August 5. Xiaohui Wang, the founder of the museum and a famous artist, also appeared on the scene to tell visitors about her art experience and several highlights of the museum.

Wang warmly welcomed the visitors in front of the red and white building at 369 Weining Road. She introduced every detail of the museum beside the Suzhou Creek that gave her artistic ingenuity.

The museum will focus on visual and digital art and present the latest “new” art forms leading the industry to visitors. Just like Wang, an artist who is good at photography, video, new media, sculpture, installation and other art media, this art museum named after her will constantly break the boundaries of art and vividly convey the deepest feelings of the artist.

The opening exhibition “dreamer” brought by Wang and Francesca Marti, the famous Spanish artist, has been in preparation for four years.

The “dreamer” sculpture is Marti’s masterpiece, which has been exhibited in many cities around the world. This time, the “dreamer” came to China and formed the main line of the exhibition with Xiaohui Wang’s “10000 dreams.”

Edited by Shanghai Daily