NEWS

RECENT RAS NEWS

RAS WEEKENDER SERIES - An exciting new addition to the activity and event schedule of the RAS to be held on weekends at least once a month

The RAS in Shanghai is proud to introduce a new series ‘Weekenders’ commencing Saturday, February 28, 2009.

Unable to make it along to our evening events? Looking for something different, stimulating and rewarding to do at weekends? Looking to expand your interests and horizons? Looking to become involved in something very worthwhile? Look no further - the RAS Weekender Series has arrived.

We hope that ‘Weekenders’ will provide an opportunity for all - RAS members, their families, friends and guests, to discover and appreciate more about Shanghai’s astounding history and culture and offer a further opportunity, from within and outside our membership, for the real sharing of knowledge, skills, interests and experiences that are far from in short supply in our community. And we hope that they will be a great deal of fun, bringing together those from all walks of life. RAS Weekender events will usually be of half-day duration with a great chance to get together with others over an optional meal or drink in convivial surroundings.

A series of events has been scheduled for you to mark in your diary. Please do not respond now, as invitations will be sent closer to the time.

Entrance fees, meals and drinks will not be included at events. Preference will be given to RAS members at those events where numbers are limited. Membership applications will be accepted at any RAS Weekender event. Non-members can also apply for membership by contacting our secretary at: enquiry@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn

THE END OF OUR FIRST CALENDAR YEAR

2008 has been a very eventful year for the RAS China in Shanghai that came to a fitting close with a fascinating talk by one of our Honorary Vice-Presidents, Dr. Liu Wei, on how one singsong girl changed the course of history. The second landmark event of the year, following upon our 150th anniversary celebrations in May, was our annual soirée on November 22. The event was timed to coincide with a weekend visit of a large group of members from RAS Hong Kong (for their write up click here). The highlight was the soirée in the atmospheric surroundings of the former ballroom at the Astor House Hotel. The RAS Council would like to thank the management of the hotel for their assistance in making this event such a success. Vintage home movies showing scenes of home and public life city in the 1930s and 1940s filmed by Harry Pringle, father of our August speaker Pixie Gray, were screened throughout the evening. Around 100 members and guests turned up for the event – and a very big thank you to all of you for making it such a big success. Click here 1, 2, 3, or 4 to see some images taken by one of our members, Jan Siefke.

We also had the pleasure of holding two other major events in November beginning with an engaging presentation by Ambassador Christopher Bo Bramsen on his family’s remarkable history in Shanghai. Our first RAS book talk by Elizabeth Gill Lui, like her highly important book on heritage conservation in China, was both eloquent and thought provoking We have a number of Elizabeth’s books available for sale at Rmb 400 – of which 50% of proceeds will go to RAS funds. Please contact us should you like one.

In October those who attended Terry Bennett’s talk on early photography in Shanghai we privileged to see amazing images of Shanghai that had hitherto never been seen in public.

And on the matter of historic photos If you have images of past events that we could possible use on our website once it is redesigned could you please send them directly to our President peter.hibbard@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn Click here 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to see a selection of images contributed by Roasario Juan at Figaro Coffee Shop.

29TH SEPTEMBER TALK BY PIXIE GRAY – IN SEARCH OF ONE’S IDENTITY

Pixie Gray presented an absorbing and moving account of her family history in China and of her early memories of Shanghai, where she grew up, which was much appreciated by a good showing of members and guests.

Those who did not make it along will be able to see the young Pixie and view many scenes of Shanghai life in the 1930s and 1940s, as captured by her father on celluloid, at our Annual Soiree on November 22nd. Pixie has kindly donated this archive footage to our expanding library and the event will coincide with the visit of around 30 members and friends of the RAS Hong Kong. Details will be posted on the website when arrangements are finalised.

Pixie has also donated a copy of her father’s harrowing account of his captivity in Shanghai and Beijing during World War II to our library. To read this book click here. In the near future we will have a new library page on our website containing a collection of material related to the RAS, past and present.

The RAS China in Shanghai is grateful to Henry J Lyons & Partners Architects for patronising this highly successful event that took place in the coffee shop next to their offices in the Jiefang Newspaper Tower at 300 Hankou Road. We hope to use this centrally located venue again in the future.

We are all extremely grateful to her for sharing so much with us during her short return visit to this city.

To Read a full transcript of this talk click here.

"The RAS Resurrection in Shanghai" in RAS London Newsletter, Spring 2008 (download)

"Breathing fresh life into a cutural oasis" in Shanghai Daily, May 2008 (download)

The RAS Studio

Historically the RAS relied on the expertise and interests of its membership and the local community for its practical and spiritual existence. The Shanghai community funded its building, built its library and museum collections, hosted and delivered lectures, and contributed to its reputable journal. Following this precedent, and in addition to our monthly lecture, we have instituted the RAS Studio as a platform for members, visitors and the wider Shanghai community to make a contribution to Shanghai's cultural life.

We envisage a varied format of discussions, seminars, classes and film screenings, amongst a host of other activities, which will allow participants to engage over time with topics in a more informal, exploratory way that takes full advantage of the dynamic and talented community in which we live.

The first RAS Studio event will take place on March 18th.

The RAS Library: A New Leaf

Recovering the Journals

The magnificent former RAS library collection, which is now safely housed in the Bibiloteca at Xujiahui in Shanghai, had as its core a collection purchased by generous public donation from one of its early Council members, Dr. Alexander Wylie, in 1868. With a sense of déjà vu some 140 years on we are presented with a similar set of circumstances as Mike Nethercott (RAS Vice President) and Dr. Liu Wei (former RAS Vice President and current Council member) have dug deep into their pockets to secure 80 precious volumes of the RAS North China Branch (Shanghai) Journals, found in a Beijing bookstore, dating from 1859 to 1948 that the Society wishes to purchase to form the nucleus of its new collection.

To this end we have begun a series of fundraising activities, the first being an RAS Ramble, led by our president Peter Hibbard, around the area of the RAS former home in the Waitanyuan at the northern section of the Bund. We are focusing on building up a collection of publications relating to the former Society and its members. Peter Hibbard visited the Smithsonian Institute in Washington (as pictured) to retrieve materials from the Arthur Carle De Sowerby (1930s president) archives in February.

We are hoping that the public will again generously support this venture by donating books and cash to enable Shanghai to have a lasting and invaluable resource open to all.

The RAS Council owe a great thank you to our affiliates at RAS Hong Kong. They have donated an entire collection of their journals from 1960 to our library - a most gracious and valuable gift.

The former RAS library collection, comprising nearly 40,000 volumes, has been open to the public since 2003. This fascinating resource comprises rare books, as well as historical Shanghai guidebooks, books on history, travel, natural history and the Chinese language, to name just a few subjects. Now part of the Shanghai Library, they are housed at 80 North Caoxi Road, Xujiahui (Xujiahui metro stop, exit 8), and may be consulted by anyone with a Shanghai Library card (available at the main branch, 1555 Central Huaihai Road - take your passport along to register).

The RAS will be oranising occasional visits to the magnificent inner sanctuary of the library and to the neighbouring former St. Ignatius Cathedral.

Electronic Library

In addition to rebuilding a collection of books and other printed materials, we have begun to assemble a digital collection of documents and photographs relating to the illustrious history of the RAS in China. We plan to make these available on our website as part of a growing collection of resources.

A new RAS China in Shanghai Journal

The original RAS North China Branch Journal series ran for 90 years. As well as publishing articles that advanced scholarship on the Chinese language, botany, minorities etc., the journal is today an invaluable archive of the society's activities and membership over a tumultuous span of history. We plan in the near future to revive the RAS China journal, to document this new chapter in our history and to publish outstanding original research.

The RAS network

The Royal Asiatic Society has existed for nearly two and a quarter centuries. It was founded in Calcutta to study the language and history of India, through lectures, publications and the assembling of a library. The vision of sharing knowledge about Asian cultures inspired the establishment of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland in 1823, and subsequently a series of “offspring,” including the North China Branch, now RAS China in Shanghai.

RAS China in Shanghai Vice President Mike Nethercott met with Great Britain and Ireland Council members in London in January 2008 to discuss our vision for the China branch, as well as to brainstorm about future collaborations. In the spirit of sharing knowledge and resources, we plan to network with all existing RAS chapters to promote our mutual aim of better appreciating and understanding Asian cultures.