The School of Arts and Humanities and the Confucius Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas are pleased to announce that we are sponsoring a forum in conjunction with one of the most exciting cultural events of the decade, the debut of the Western style Chinese opera, “Farewell My Concubine.” Performed by China National Opera House, the opera is currently having a tour in the US and will be staged at the Eisemann Center in Richardson on February 5 and 6. An avant-garde production that combines the essential features of "Western-style" Italian opera and "Chinese-style" Peking opera, it is based on the ill-fated romance of a historical figure in China, which has inspired numerous literary works and an Oscar-nominated movie by the same title. The forum’s featured speakers will include the internationally-renowned opera writer Xiao Bai, the symphony conductor Yu Feng, and the major performers. It will also present a preview of the opera in DVD form. A Q & A session will follow for the inquisitive minds in the audience.

Time: February 2, 2008, Saturday, 2:00 pm
Place: Jonsson Performance Hall
Free and Open to the Public

For directions to the Jonsson Performance Hall, please visit http://ah.utdallas.edu/facilities/performance_hall.html

For more information abou the opera, please visit: http://www.farewellmyconcubineusa.com/

For ticket information about “Farewell My Concubine” at the Eisemann Center Feb 5 & 6, please visit http://www.eisemanncenter.com/ and go to “Upcoming Events”.

About the Confucius Institute

The University of Texas at Dallas, in cooperation with China Three Gorges University (CTGU), established The Confucius Institute of the University of Texas at Dallas for the purpose of enhancing the American people’s understanding of Chinese language and culture and to develop a mutually beneficial relationship between CTGU and UT Dallas.

UT Dallas offers a singularly appropriate site and academic environment that will allow a Confucius Institute to emphasize translation and the application of interactive technology to promote the learning of Chinese literature and culture, ultimately providing a focal point for establishing a regional center for Chinese Studies. Located in Richardson, UT Dallas enjoys a major metropolitan location characterized by both a highly educated and culturally diverse population and also by a concentration of major technology-focused commerce and research. The UT Dallas Confucius Institute will benefit, moreover, from the contributions of the Center for Translation Studies and the Institute for Interactive Arts and Engineering. Finally, UT Dallas' existing strong ties with cultural institutions, school districts, and community colleges will provide a foundation for developing a regional center for Chinese Studies.

The Confucius Institute at UT Dallas will promote international communication and understanding through programs uniquely appropriate to its structure and environment.

In accord with the requirements of the Confucius Institute program, UT Dallas will

• Provide adequate office space and facilities (including computers and audio-visual equipment)
• Appoint a Director of the Confucius Institute
• Hire two full-time tenure-line Professors (Chinese History, Chinese Language/Literature) in the School of Arts and Humanities
• Appoint members of the Board of Directors
• Establish an Advisory Council to promote community good will and support

The Confucius Institute will focus but not limit its activities to achieving the following goals:

• Establishing a Regional Center for Promotion of Chinese Studies through outreach programs including
1. Training and certification programs for teachers
2. Workshops and training programs for Advanced Placement courses
3. Courses on Chinese language and culture for Americans in the business community
4. Development of a coherent Chinese Studies curriculum with community colleges and secondary schools
5. Development of technologically sophisticated and attractive educational materials and programs designed for American students

• Promoting understanding of Chinese culture through Bidirectional Translation of Chinese and American Literature by
1. Utilizing the resources of the UT Dallas Center for Translation Studies and the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) to sponsor conferences and workshops (in the United States and China) on translating to and from Chinese
2. Working to establish and endow an annual prize in Chinese Translation
3. Publishing articles in and special issues of the journal Translation Review devoted to Chinese literature

• Expanding and enhancing opportunities for the study of Chinese history, literature and language by creating an Asian Studies Program at UT Dallas

• Organizing and promoting exhibitions, lectures and artistic performances to increase public awareness and appreciation of past and current Chinese culture

• Promoting scholarly research on China and Chinese culture.