Beijing home concert: Peter Ritzen

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

On 1 November we had the unique opportunity to listen to Peter giving a private concert at his Beijing home. We are from the same city in Belgium… and the same school…

See here about him:
Peter Ritzen was born in the historic Flemish city of Ghent, in Belgium. He studied piano and chamber music at the Royal Conservatory there, continuing his studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg (1981-83) with the renowned Russian pianist Tatiana Nikolayeva. He graduated with the Diplome Supérieure d’Exécution for piano from the Alfred Cortot Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris in 1984. As a concert pianist, Ritzen has appeared throughout Europe, Asia and the United States, winning particular acclaim as an interpreter of Franz Liszt and Theodor Leschetizky, with the recording for Naxos of works by the latter. His deep immersion in Chinese culture has given Ritzen, a composer of large-scale works, a whole repertoire of compositions inspired by China and Chinese traditions. Peter Ritzen possesses an unparalleled gift for free improvisation on the piano, drawing strongly and unmistakably on the great traditions of the nineteenth century. He is a recording artist for Naxos.
More:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Ritzen
His website: http://www.peterritzen.com/home/

Great performance, good food and many friends I met there, along with new ones. Thanks to his gracious wife (and soprano) Stella for being such a wonderful host.

University of Ghent (Belgium) in Beijing

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove
in general

Yesterday I joined the reception at the Belgian embassy to meet with the delegation of the University of Ghent, where I graduated as master in electronic engineering in 1973. As such I must be probably the oldest alumnus here in Beijing. Most of the participants at the reception were Chinese alumni, as the University starts to be well known in China and receives a lot of attention. The University along with the Province of East Flanders have a long track record here in China, fostering relations with several well-known Chinese universities.
I was very pleased and honored to meet with the new Dean, Prof. dr. Anne De Paepe. Last year I had met her predecessor, also in the Belgian embassy.

I am proud of my Alma Mater. If I scored some unusual successes here in China I should say thanks. Indeed the most important thing I learned in my engineering studies: to learn, never say you can’t handle something, always sit down and look with a fresh mind into “impossible” problems.
Also pictured are, among others: Prof. Dr. ir. Guy Smagghe, Prof. dr. ir. Patrick Van Damme and Vice Governor of the Province of East Flanders Geert Versnick. And of course our ambassador, H.E. Michel Malherbe, our perfect host as usual.
I was born in Ghent, went there to school and to the university.
As reported by … ir. Gilbert

Beijing Rotaract Networking Evening 28 October

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove
in Rotary

Rotaract Beijing cordially invites you to attend the End Polio Now Charity Networking event on Tuesday 28 October from 7pm at Trouble Bar in Sanlitun.
Entrance Fee 100 RMB, includes one drink. Nice drink list at great prices.
Business Cards Guessing: guess how many cards Gilbert has thrown away. Each guess 10 RMB. Several prizes for who comes closest!
Address:
Trouble Bar – China View, 2-101 Gongti Donglu
工体东路2号中国红街大厦2-101号楼
Trouble Bar is next to Gung Ho Pizza, close to Hooters and behind Drei Kronen German restaurant, close to the corner of Gongti Bei Lu / Gongti Dong Lu. About 100 m south of The Den in the same alley.
The bar has an impressive collection of imported beers from around the world and also sells special made bicycles. See some views from the bar.

What is Rotaract? It is the young generation 18-30 in Rotary:
A Global Network of Volunteers dedicated to making a difference;
Community Service Organization that creates positive, lasting change in our communities;
Locally Engaged NGO that collaborates with local volunteer organizations to provide ongoing volunteer opportunities;
Professional Network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and community leaders worldwide
Rotaract is all about community engagement and volunteerism. So, if you have any ideas for new long-term or short-term projects and/or any suggestions for partner NGOs in the greater China community, please send an email.
eMail: info@rotaractbeijing.org
Rotaract Beijing www.rotaractbeijing.org

In Beijing the Rotaract Club has members from a large variety of nationalities. Unfortunately the turnover of the mebers is pretty high as many young professionals as well as students spend just a short time here. On 18 October we had another farewell party for Judie, our Rotaractor from Panama. During our dinner in Homeplate (Sanlitun) she also brought many friends from several  Latin American countries. See the pics from our nice evening!

We hope Julie can return one day to Beijing!

Rotary lunch and Ian Johnson as the speaker

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove
in Rotary

On 14 October, the usual Rotary Club of Beijing lunch in Kempinski Hotel.
Speaker of the day: Ian Johnson, who among other things teaches at The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist who focuses on civil society and religion. He lives in Beijing and Berlin (Freie Universität), where he writes and teaches. He is the author of:
A Mosque in Munich – it tells the history of the Islamic Center of Munich, which was founded as a project by U.S. and West German intelligence for a group of Muslims living in Munich. Eventually the Islamic Center of Munich became the first overseas base of the Brotherhood in the West. In a way the story is the precursor to our experiences with the mujahedeen.
Wild Grass – Three stories of ordinary citizens illustrate a “slow-motion revolution from below” that is transforming today’s China.
More, see: http://www.ian-johnson.com/

He spoke on “Beyond Economic Growth: China’s Search For Lasting Values”.
Since the late 19th century, China has embarked on a long journey of seeking balance of creating a modern state and spiritual salvation. Ian walked through this relentless effort by the state as well as society at large in their search for the remedies for the social and economic ills resulting from the turbulent years after the Opium War and the founding of the Republic to the more recent rapid development in the last 30 years. He then focused his talk on the moral vacuum and subsequent surge of religious rejuvenation since the “to get rich is glorious” campaign released by Deng Xiaoping. Today China’s rapid religious popularity serves as the contrast in the backdrop of rapid wealth accumulation, and rampant corruption permeating in every corner of Chinese society. However, the long term effect of this religious revival on the political development remains to be seen. (Report by our Club)

His talk inspired me personally and suddenly gave me a new idea on another book I have to write… When I finally can cool down and find the time.

Rotaract meeting: 9 nationalities!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove
in Rotary

On 13 October, our weekly Rotaract meeting to discuss about upcoming activities and projects.
Interesting group that came together in The Bookworm (Beijing, Sanlitun): we were 12 with 9 nationalities! USA, France, Panama, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Germany, Turkey and Belgium!

Discussion was lively as usual. The manager of the three Bookworm shops in China is Peter, who is also Rotarian of the Chengdu Club. My book Toxic Capitalism is also being sold in the three shops.