Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Jun 11-16
For once, we stop focusing on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more productive look at what's going on around Beijing this week. Here is our top pick of events that won't leave you hungover...
Tuesday, Jun 11
How China Became a European Power
If you've been keeping up with European politics as of late, well, it's a bloody shambles. On top of Britain's excrutiatingly slow crash out of the EU, far-right and populist groups are starting to occupy political space once reserved for the now floundering traditional parties. Seeing its opportunity, China is also starting to flex its muscles in the region. Here, Bruno Maçães, author of Belt and Road: A Chinese World Order, will discuss what the evolving trade and political climates between China and Europe mean for future relations in the respective regions. RMB 60, RMB 30 (students with valid ID). 7.30pm. Embassy of the Netherlands Residence
Wednesday, Jun 12
Storytelling Spoken Word: Parties
Things get wild at 4corners this Wednesday, or at least as wild as recollecting moments of wildness can get. That's because this week's storytelling will center on the good, the bad, and the down-right ugly stories of parties (the more NSFW, the better). For your efforts, you'll be awarded a drink, just don't let it send you down the path of regret. Free. 8pm. 4corners
Thursday, Jun 13
Beauty Unites Us: Chinese Art from the Vatican Museums
This new exhibition at the Palace Museum explores some of the most prized artifacts of the Vatican Museum's 5,000-plus pieces of Chinese art. The show is divided into three sections: Catholic art (Johann Wenzel Peter's Adam and Eve in the Earthly Paradise is pictured at top), Buddhist art, and secular art, and spans works dating as far back as the Ming dynasty so as to give an impression of how each of these periods in Chinese history left their own disparate imprints on beliefs and, in turn, the creative output they informed. RMB 60. Tue-Sun, 8.30am-5pm. The Palace Museum
Friday, Jun 14
Give Blood
Certainly not your usual Friday shindig, but why not give yourself an excuse not to go out by doing something in the name of saving some goddamn lives. Blood donors should be between 18 and 55, not have donated blood in the last six months, and weigh over 45kg for women or 55kg for men. Fridays have never felt so good (and woozy, in a good way). Free. 10am-3pm. Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU)
Saturday, Jun 15
The Second Nordic Dragon Boat Tournament
It may be a week late, run by a bunch of vikings, and take place in Tongzhou, but we're just happy to report that there is in fact a dragon boat race at all this year! Almost elusive as the dreaded fire-breathing beast itself, dragon boat races tend to be relegated to China's southern provinces (where there are more rivers), which makes it all the more special when the Nords take over and bring together 20 of their own teams to celebrate this ancient activity. Head there early and you can enjoy a breakfast with the competitors before they battle it out oar-to-oar. Free or RMB 100 including spectator breakfast and bus. Tongzhou Canal Park
Sunday, Jun 16
Picasso: Birth of a Genius
In what is undoubtedly the biggest art opening of this year so far, UCCA opens their doors this weekend to the largest collection of Picasso paintings to ever come to China. The exhibition, which offers a comprehensive overview of the first three decades of the Spanish artist’s career (between 1893-1921), is drawn from the collection of the Musée national Picasso-Paris and includes 103 works in total, including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Absolutely not to be missed. RMB 60. Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm (opens Saturday, Jun 16). UCCA
There are plenty more fun, exciting, and, should you want them, boozy events in our Events section here.
