The Double Ninth Festival, also called Chongyang Festival, is the official day to pay respect to the seniors (in China that is, over 60). This year the date fell on 21 October 2015.
The first four China International Chongyang Festivals were successfully organized and held in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; due to budget restrictions and the call for saving money, 2013 was not held. I am in the Organizing Committee since the first one. Like last year, the event took place in Diaoyutai, on 31 October.
It was hosted as usual by the Managing Committee of China Aging International Development Foundation, where I also have a position.
This year the Pakistan Ambassador took part for the diplomatic corps, and gave a speech.
I invited several foreign “senior” citizens and organized a bus from our residence to the Guesthouse. Many of my friends attended: Renaat & Susan, Regula, Marcel. Jan, Harvey, Jo, Michael, Mark & Fu Han, Emile, François … Nice to have them all.
Ms. Peng Peiyun was again the highest invited guest from the government; she is Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the Chairwoman of the All-China Women’s Federation, and President of the Red Cross Society of China.

This time I gave my speech in English, as representative of the foreign seniors.
As always the performances by the senior citizens’ perfomers were impressive and charmed the audience. See the pictures!

Pictured also is Mrs. Wanbi Epstein, the widow of Israel Epstein who kindly gave me a signed copy of his book “From Opium War to Liberation”.

Christian launched another comeback with his FAMMM event, this time in Al Bar within the Italian Center on Xindong Street. Yes there is a door fee now (100 RMB) but I think it only improves the quality of the guests…

I always the parties as there is a nice mix of people, including a range of impressive girls (and for the girls: some handsome boys!).
I did not take too many pictures, just busy talking…
Looking forward to the next party.

On 25 November I attended, along with two of our Rotaractors, a concert at the National Library Concert Hall. The stars were of course Peter and his lovely wife. But also impressive were some of his young protégés, some as young as 12 years old.

Peter is a real maestro at the piano but his wife Stella is as impressive – what a voice! She was also the host for the event.
After the concert Peter signed his CD for the fans and of course was ready to have his pictures taken…
Peter is off to Belgium and other countries for another round of concerts. Looking forward to see him again in Beijing after Chinese New Year!
The concert hall is well done, acoustics great. But every subway that passes underneath brings a disturbing rumble. And as usual the Chinese public was always too busy talking, playing with their mobiles and answering calls of their noisy mobiles. Try that in Europe. Education …

In and Out (一坐一忘) – Chinese, Yunnan cuisine

Tun San Li Yongli International Plaza, 21 Gongti Beilu, go around the building on the outside, the restaurant is on the north-east side.
Spacious and nice restaurant, summer time outside seating available.
Had dinner there with Sun on 27 September.

I like Yunnan food and this restaurant is pretty good. I can recommend.

On Friday 13 November the Belgian Embassy celebrated King’s Day, which falls on 15 November. For most it is the “de facto” National Day as in summertime most people are away. This year, hundreds of people attended. Ambassador Malherbe hosted a winter reception at his residence and in the surrounding garden. Catering was done by TRB, serving small appetizers (blood sausage, beef stew and other), fish soup, waffles, Belgian fries and more. And thanks to the Embassy, a wide variety of great Belgian beers (some more bottles for my collection!).

TRB missed the right word for “Frietkot”. Not Fritkot. But the fries were OK!