Clubs come in all shapes and sizes in order to fit the unique needs of students. They allow young people to expand, nurture, and develop leadership skills or other talents that might be neglected in their normal curriculum. Whether it be athletic, academic, or creative, these clubs offer students the perfect opportunities to connect with others who have the same interests and do so in an atmosphere that is very focused and passion driven.

Here are some examples of a couple clubs that are available to students from any school, along with some valuable insight about these clubs from active members. In our process of seeking out these clubs, we also learned about a couple of instances of students building their own groups focused on either a particular interest or a service to the community that wasn’t yet being offered through their school. They explain a bit of the process to help those wanting to get the ball rolling at their own school.

We hope you find this to be a helpful primer for learning about some of the great afterschool activities this city has to offer, and it encourages you to try something new.

UNIT-E

UNIT-E is a student-run trilingual magazine that distributes to over ten different international schools in Beijing including Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), International School of Beijing (ISB), and Dulwich College Beijing (DCB). The students are from various schools in Beijing, and they work as a team to create a bimonthly publication that offers a platform for their peers to showcase their journalism and artwork. Editor of UNIT-E, Melody Chen, tells us more about what you can expect through joining the team.

Melody Chen

What led you to first join UNIT-E?
I joined UNIT-E because I was looking for an opportunity to share my creativity and opinions through writing. Since UNIT-E is distributed to schools all around Beijing, it would have a bigger audience and more writers that I can communicate with than a school magazine.

How has UNIT-E developed your interests or skills?
Writing is one of my biggest interests, and UNIT-E has definitely helped me improve my skills in that area. Especially through editing other writers’ articles and taking notice of the details in their texts, I was able to pay more attention to specific things like grammar, sentence fluency, tone, etc. By correcting their writing, I think it helped me reflect on what I need to improve on in my writing as well.

Has being a part of the magazine helped you meet or interact with any new people?
Definitely. In distribution meetings, I can often find people I didn’t know who were from different schools than me. During the mostly laid-back discussions we had in those meetings, I got to interact with them and get to know them.

What do you enjoy most about UNIT-E?
I like that I get to both help other writers with my feedback and learn from reading their articles. It is always interesting to step away from my own perspective and embrace what someone else has to offer – including subject matters that I’m not familiar with and different writing styles.

How is UNIT-E different from your average school newspaper?
The biggest difference is that it’s on a bigger scale. There are people from plenty of different schools involved in the writing and design processes, and the magazines are distributed so that most of the international school community can read them. Other than having a wider audience, UNIT-E is also not limited to just school happenings that most school newspapers publish. Each issue covers a broad range of topics from reports of current issues to horoscopes and fiction.

For more information, contact 19tinas@wab.edu

InkBeat Arts

Inkbeat Arts is a social enterprise dedicated to creative education. They design and deliver creative arts programming that pushes the limits of students’ creativity, publish the InkBeat Youth Journal, and support a community of young people based on experimentation and the artistic process. We talked with Jennifer Zhou to find out more.

Jennifer Zhou

What is InkBeat Arts?
InkBeat Arts is an organization that aims to foster creative learning in young people. As well as publishing InkBeat Youth Journal which showcases student writing and art, InkBeat also designs creative arts programs and holds workshops on things such as creative reading, self-expression, and visual writing.

How does InkBeat Arts play a role in your life?
I’ve been a student intern for InkBeat for about a year, and can definitely say that it’s a rewarding and unique experience. My tasks as an intern range from the serious and thought-provoking: holding writer interviews, or moderating a panel of student authors, to the fun and unconventional: writing speed poetry at InkBeat’s release party or writing an article about comic books for a superpowers-themed issue.

Tell me about your favorite experience from InkBeat. What made it so remarkable?
At the launch party for InkBeat’s second issue, I moderated a panel of student writers – together we discussed topics ranging from their writing habits and favorite books to their perception of literature and dreams for the future. It was fascinating (and, I won’t lie, a little intimidating) to meet so many insanely talented writers, and I truly enjoyed getting to hear their many candid, quirky, and humorous thoughts in the discussion.

Tell me more about these launch parties. What is typically done at one?
InkBeat’s launch parties are usually fun, dynamic events filled with a variety of activities – piece readings, author Q&As, student panels, and speed poetry stations, just to name a few. InkBeat has introduced me to everyone from amateur authors to professional writers to aspiring photographers to fanatical literature lovers, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know every one of them.

What’s the most unique or notable thing about this organization?
The way it revels in all things creative – in all ages, in all mediums.

For more information, email info@beijingyouthlit.com

Photos: Courtesy of InkBeat Arts and Unit-E
A complete version of this article appeared on p44-48 of the beijingkids September 2018 Teen Takeover issue.

Many of you out there may have heard about or encountered the Beijing Youth Literary Review (BYLR) since their inaugural issue back in April. For the uninitiated, BYLR is a bilingual journal of creative writing and visual art, focusing on making heard the voices of international and Chinese students. We love what they are doing in giving students from a variety of schools here in Beijing a beautiful platform to show off their creative writing skills. What better way, we thought, to help spread this welcomed project than as a part of the Teen Takeover issue of beijingkids.

This selected short story, written by Tina Sang and titled “City Fallen,” puts into words the harrowing and dreamlike experience of surviving a natural disaster. It’s equal parts terrifying in its struggle and magical realism, as she paints a rich picture of the surreal experience of surviving a catastrophe through her poetic imagery. Keep a lookout this month as the next edition of the magazine hits the streets on Sep 1, showing off the current crop of writing talent here in capital.

“Girl. Girl. Wake up.”

A rough shove sends searing pain into my head. Wrenching my eyes open, I see a blurry old woman hovering above me. Her gray-black hair sticks greasily to her head, fingernails dirt-choked as she pries my lips open. I protest, before a stream of warm water is poured into my mouth.

“Come,” she says as she yanks me up by the arm. Every stiff muscle screams in agony.

“Where are we?” I ask as she drags me along a broken road. There is no reply.

Wreckage surrounded us, a shattered city; toppled telephone poles, Swiss-cheese buildings, and sea of cement ruin. We pass a mound of lifeless bodies, piled in a gruesome Mount Everest. The glass and rubble crunch underfoot, and I do my best to suppress the bile creeping up the back of my throat.
I remember the city as it once was; swelling with scents and noises, bustling crowds, busy roads – nothing remains. The silence of the city is tangible. It settles thick in the air, like toxic gas, seeping into my bones, making me weary as we trudge along.

London Bridge is falling down, falling down. The haunting tune plays over and over in my mind. Another city in the clutches of destruction. My brain scrambles to piece things together, to remember anything, but the sun’s harsh glare scorches my memory blank.

Suddenly, the woman ducks into a narrow doorway, and I gag at the putrid stench within. A sea of bodies is packed into what used to be a hospital, some groaning in pain, others so still I wonder if they’re alive. She leads me to the far wall, where a hunched man crouches on a mat. She shoos him, and he glares before scrambling away.
“Here,” she says, her eyes expectant.

“I…I don’t have anything for you.”

She spits on the floor, and stalks away. I’m left alone with my stained, reeking mattress. I’m disgusted, I don’t want to touch it, but then my head spins and I have no choice but to collapse.

The ground shudders. Perplexed, I look down. Did I imagine it? Then it comes again, stronger this time, like a giant waking from slumber.

Someone grabs my arm. “Back to the house, now.”

But it’s too late. The ground gives a feral lurch, coming alive with a roar. The grip on my arm disappears. Further away, I see people hurrying towards me, and I yell at them to get to safety.

Beneath me, the land rocks, bucking wildly as it breaks free. It throws us wildly from side to side. I can’t crawl without losing balance. Splayed out on the dusty ground, I’m helpless as I await the giant’s wrath.

“Meixin!” Someone shouts my name, reaching out towards me. Desperately, I try to grasp their reaching fingers. Just as their fingertips brush the back of my hand, they are wrenched away. The earth gives in with a horrible groan, and I watch as the land split open in a gaping abyss.

“Bailin!” I scream too late. The ground crumbles beneath his feet. He scrambles backwards, trying to find solid footing. I’m terrified for him; every bone screams for him to stay safe. But there’s a small part of me that wants him to make the leap. Risk his life to be by my side. The hot air suffocates me. Everything disappears in a wall of dust.

The smell of dumplings greets me next, the bright linoleum tiles of the kitchen. Bailin smiles at me from the breakfast table, where my mom and dad sit huddled over the newspaper.

“What’s new?” I slide into my chair.

My dad looks up. His eyebrows are knitted together. “Minor tremors in Sichuan, Shanghai, and Hebei. Nobody can figure out what it’s from.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” my mom says. Any relief I feel at her words evaporates when Bailin’s eyes meet mine, teeming with unease.

I wake, mouth dry, heartbeat racing, skin twitching with disgust. There was an earthquake. I’ve been separated. My family. Bailin. I remember him now. Bright smile, eyes that are the brown of the earth back home. The boy next door. I breathe in, trying to remember the taste of food, hot mantou, deep-fried dough sticks, and fresh soybean milk. But instead I’m met with a rancid scent. I cough violently, tears stinging my eyes. Nauseated, I head outside for fresh air.

The amateur squeaking of a violin reaches my ear, and I turn towards the sound. Twinkle, twinkle little star…
A ring of people surrounds the source of music, and my feet move me to the front of the crowd. A bearded man plays on a beaten, chipped violin that looks it just barely survived the disaster. When he finishes his playing, I join in on the smattering of applause. Instinctively, I step up to him, hands outreached.

“May I?”

The violin feels foreign in my grip. It’s larger than the one I used to have – bulkier, the strings rusted. But still, it’s a piece of home. Shaky, I raise the bow to the strings and drag out the first note. Hesitantly, a tune flows from the strings, sweet and true, as a memory invades my senses.

I was in the lead, giggling as my legs carried me up and away. Bailin’s short huffs followed closely behind. I squealed, pumping my legs faster. A large shadow came out of nowhere, dashing past both of us.

“Baba!” I screamed, trailing in the laughter he left, big and booming.

My bow flies over the instrument, fast and bright, leaping, jerky, staccato. The music soars, carrying me up the hill, up to my dad, with Bailin right behind me. Each note gifts me a new detail, the warm rays of sunshine, the thrum of cicadas, blades of grass tingling on my bare feet.

When I lower the bow, my heartbeat is erratic, and I find a thick crowd of people all staring. Their eyes are wide, wonder-filled. I stare back, hands shaking. One man shouts, and then everyone erupts into cheers and laughter, and I’m laughing too, impossibly reunited with the taste of joy.

But that night it’s difficult to keep the demons at bay. I’m plagued with half-remembered dreams, fragments of reality that I try to grip onto, but they slip away like wisps of silk. I’m running up a hill, to my family and to Bailin, but the ground keeps slipping, I’m sprinting but moving backwards, then I lose balance and I tumble, tumble downwards. I’m playing a violin, but then it splits in two, and the people dancing on the strings plummet into the chasm.

The next day I wake up to the sound of clamoring. Padding outside, I’m surprised to see a mob of people on the street. When they spot me, they all begin shouting and gesticulating, and before I know it, I’m holding a violin once more.

A slow tune comes alive under my hands, melodious and soft, shaping the wind that whistled through my hair at the top of the hill.

“The beauty doesn’t ever fade, does it?” Bailin smiles at me, eyes alight with awe.
“I couldn’t imagine being so far from everything,” I say.
“You know one day you’ll have to leave your tower, Rapunzel.”
I turn back to see my parents smiling at us, hand in hand.
“I couldn’t imagine it.”

I’m alarmed as I see the wet faces around me, sorrow filling previously excited faces. Abruptly, I stop playing, only to find tears streaking my own cheeks. What have I done? I was supposed to bring joy in a time of sadness, not bring more pain. I feel a hand on my shoulder. The old woman cracks a yellowed smile.

“We’ve all lost someone,” she says. “There’s no shame in crying.”

Something bursts within me. It’s too much. I miss my family. I miss Bailin. I miss everything familiar.

“Hush haizi. We’re here for you.”

I’m racing up a hill. This time it’s completely silent, except my soft footfalls on the grass. My parents and Bailin stand at the top, but I run past them. They wave, as if sending me off. 一路平安. Have a safe journey. The view welcomes me like an old friend. Spread out beneath me, the city is a great mosaic of gray buildings. I spread my arms and fall forward, and the city reaches up to embrace me. The wind rushes in my ears, and faintly, the sweet sound of a violin plays.

About the Author
Tina Sang, 15, is an American-born Chinese who grew up in Michigan and moved to China at age eleven. You can often find her writing half-finished novels, short stories, letters to fictional people, occasional poetry, and alternate endings to books she isn’t satisfied with. She studies at Western Academy of Beijing.

Photos: Kipp Whittaker

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to webeditor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat ID or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.

What to Do This Week…

Beijing Cub Scouts Pack 3944 Registration Event, Sep 5
Boys in Grade 1-5 and adults. It’s back to school season again and scouting is one of the activities that brings out the best in young people. On Sep 5, Beijing Cub Scouts Pack 3944 will open their doors for foreign boys in Grades 1 to 5. There will be two locations for the registration events at 3e International School at 6.30pm and at International School of Beijing (ISB) at 7pm. For more information, contact Steve Hubbard via WeChat (sthubbar) or email Pack3944@gmail.com.

Children’s Theatre: The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Sep 6-9
All ages. This English-language play for kids is based on the picture book by Judith Kerr and was nominated for 2012 Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment. The action kicks off when the doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! RMB 180-300. Click/tap here for more information or to buy tickets. 7.30-9.30pm (There will be an additional 2.30pm matinee performance on Sep 9). National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA)

Beijing Youth Literary Review’s Writers’ Retreat, Sep 8-10
Kids 10+. Join Beijing Youth Literary Review editors Simon, Jennifer, and Chen Bo for a wild weekend of writing, creative activities, hikes, BBQ, and bonding at the Great Wall Mountain House. RMB 2,800. Sign up online via www.beijingyouthlit.com/writers-retreat/ Beijing Youth Literary Review. #13 Building 6 Section C, Xiangjiang Beian, Xiangjiang Beilu北京市朝阳区香江北路香江北岸C座6单元底商13号 (185 1979 1662, info@beijingyouthlit.com, simon@beijingyouthlit.com)

Roundabout’s Days of Giving, Sep 7-9
All ages. In the three-day event, Roundabout will be accepting donations to support more children in need of medical care and “education initiatives that will give so many children the chance of a bright future.” Last year, for example, Roundabout raised a whopping RMB 5.73 million and had been able to provide medical treatment and other services for 141 children. For more information on how to donate, click/tap here or contact Wendy of Roundabout at 138 1111 7756, or scan the QR code below. To see the list of who Roundabout supports this year, click/tap here (Chinese website) Meanwhile, you can drop by any of the Roundabout offices to inquire about their Days of Giving or donate items.

Smart Air DIY Workshop (DIY Your Own Air Purifier and Make Your Dirty Hepa Art!), Sep 9
Adults. Say goodbye to your dirty HEPA filter! Smart Air invites everyone to a special workshop where you can unleash your creativity and create an artwork with your old HEPA. You might just win a new HEPA filter for the coming winter! Free entry but you need to pay RMB 200 if you wish to join the DIY workshop. 2-4.30pm. Registration is 2pm and event promptly begins at 2.30pm. Smart Air. 3ESPACE, 5th Floor, Xin Hua Culture Mansion, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng District.

Fun for the Family

Fun-Filled Mom and Child Playgroup, every Sat
Kids 1.5-5, mommies. Join the fun-filled mom and child playgroup at Happy Family Kindergarten every Saturday morning. This playgroup is aimed for 1.5-5 years old kids and moms to meet new people while spending time together.  The kids will engage in storytelling, art and crafts activities as well as music and movement. Free. 9-11am. Happy Family Kindergarten. Xiang Xin Xili 22, Dongcheng (near Fangzhuang subway station) (WeChat ID: fangyuebi, 136 9573 7808)

St. Petersburg Eifman Ballet: Anna Karenina, Sep 13-14
All ages. The St. Petersburg Eifman Ballet works under the direction of master choreographer Boris Eifman. They appear in Beijing to dance his interpretation of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. Eifman set aside the secondary storylines and focuses solely on the love triangle between Anna, Karenin and Vronsky, bringing the timeless emotional content of the novel to the stage of the NCPA. Tickets from RMB 160 to RMB 880. Shows start from 7.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA). 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng District 西城区西长安街2号 (6655 0000) www.chncpa.org

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Concert, Sep 15
All ages. East meets West during this performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the direction of David Robertson. The ensemble plays a selection of chamber pieces including two by Zhou Juan created for the NCPA’s Young Composer’s Programme, Gnarly Buttons by John Adams and Spirit of the Wild by Nigel Westlake. Tickets from RMB 80 to RMB 480 (click/tap here to buy tickets). 7.30-9.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA). 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng District 西城区西长安街2号 (6655 0000) www.chncpa.org

WABX to the MAX, Sep 15-16
All ages. A celebration of sports and arts, Western Academy of Beijing will host a multi-sport tournament and arts festival with high school students from international schools all over Asia. Free. Visit wabx.wab.edu for details. 8am-7pm. Western Academy of Beijing. No. 10 Laiguangying Dong Lu (WeChat ID: WAB_Chat, 5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu) 来广营东路10号

Charity Readers Theatre Presents “Grapes of Wrath,” Sep 16
All ages. John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. 100 percent of all ticket sales are donated to Social Work Development Center 北京市协作者社会工作发展中心. RMB 80. Email the box office at artsforagoodcause@charityreaderstheatre.org. 7.30pm. Charity Readers Theatre. 10 Anhua Street, Shunyi District 北京市 顺义区安华街10号 (Contact person: Chris Verrill at 134 6638 8333) www.charityreaderstheatre.org

Next Week’s Best

The Beijinger 2017 Pizza Cup Launch Festival, Sep 16-17
All ages. Our sister publication, the Beijinger, brings back its annual Pizza Festival at Wangjing Soho for what will be the fourth celebration of all things cheesy, saucy, doughy, not necessarily triangular, but certainly squarely one of our favorite foods ever to exist. Following the success of last year’s event, at this year’s two-day carnival-themed festival we’ll have entertainment fit for all the family in the form of some of the city’s best live performers, as well as carnival games, magic shows, and carnival dancers, and of course, unlimited amounts of the city’s best pizza, snacks, and drinks. We’ve even invited the Guinness Book of World Records to witness what will hopefully be the biggest dough toss of all time. RMB 25 at the door (food and drink not included), RMB 20 presale (free picnic blanket included). The Beijinger.

The Fifth Annual China Women’s Film Festival, Sep 16-24
Adults. See dozens of films and a Q&A with acclaimed Dutch filmmaker Sunny Bergman at this socially conscious film festival that tackles misogyny in the tech industry, gender conformity in the Middle East, ageism in the beauty industry and more. For a full schedule and list of venues, click here. CWFF.

Beijing Health Week Opening Ceremony, Sep 17
All ages. Beijing Health Week kicks off at the Paradise Lounge in the Park Hyatt Hotel. The ceremony will be every yogi’s dream with an exclusive yoga flow experience from yoga teacher Theresa Taozi and a JBM fueled energy lunch including deliciously nutritious food, nourishing juices, and guilt-free snacks. RMB 120 (click here to purchase tickets). The opening ceremony takes place on Sep 17 at 11am-2pm. Juice By Melissa. Paradise Lounge, 6F Park Hyatt 柏悦酒店6层 天堂书屋 (130 4112 1556, quality@juicebymelissa.com, www.juicebymelissa.com)

WAB Distinguished Speaker Series: National Hockey League Alumni, Sep 19
All ages. As the NHL China Games in Beijing approaches, hear from an alumni player who has achieved greatness in “the coolest game on Earth.” Free. Visit www.wab.edu/dss for details. 6-7.30pm. Western Academy of Beijing. No. 10 Laiguangying Dong Lu (WeChat ID: WAB_Chat, 5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu) 来广营东路10号

Featured Events This Month

Work Your Body Out

Soul: A Journey to the Real You, Sep 9
Adults. Unresolved emotional pain can cause you to lose your true identity. Join Soul, a mini-retreat where yoga and a workshop will help you reconnect with the real you! Certified yoga instructor Hannah Northcott leads the yoga session; certified life coach Carnisa Berry leads the workshop. RMB 350 (before Sep 2), RMB 400 after. Cost includes a light breakfast. 9am-12.30pm. For more information or to register contact Carnisa at carnisa@berrythoughtfullife.com. International School of Beijing.

Zen Workshop for Healing & Mindfulness, Sep 9
Adults. This is a one or half-day immersion in Zen combined with tea in the room set up in a traditional way like in temple. Students will follow the routine exactly like the Zen monks. This class offers students an opportunity to experience the meditative state, as well as a new way of looking at yourself. The techniques learnt can also be incorporated into daily life after the class. Lunch and lunch break/noon nap are provided. Meditation level requirement: This class requires no previous experience. An open mind is always good for getting the best out of the course. RMB 200. 2-4pm. China Culture Center (CCC)

Yoga Yard Workshop: Know and Flow Your Energy, Sep 15-19
Adults. TCM Doctor Cameron Tukapa and yoga teacher Sean Ren lead this bilingual workshop that connects you to your qi through a fusion of Chinese and Indian medicine and yoga systems. Go home with a clear of how energy is produced, circulated, regulated and maintained in your body and learn to understand how your mental and emotional processes impact your body’s energy. 9.30-11am and 1.30-4.30pm. RMB 3,500. Click here to sign up. Yoga Yard.

Mental Health Peer Support Group, bi-weekly
Adults. CandleX is hosting an international community-based support group where people can go and share openly in a confidential setting. It is for anyone who has a mental health condition, is stressed and/or is having a hard time in both personal and professional settings. This is a project provided by CandleX, an NGO in Beijing that focuses on the mental health by awareness raising on depression and bipolar disorder. This is a continuing effort to provide more support to our Beijing English speaking community. Free (click/tap here to register). 7.30-9pm. CandleX. U-Town Shopping Center. (WeChat ID: candlex2015, info@candlex.cn) www.candlex.cn

Workshops and Seminars

2017 China Summit of the Association of Leading Independent Schools, Sep 15
Adults. If you are considering boarding school for your kids, this event is for you. Learn about creating a study abroad plan, preparing for entrance examinations and the application process for British boarding schools, and meet representatives from a long list of visiting schools in the UK during this educational summit. Free. 9am-5pm. British Chamber of Commerce in China. Beijing Imperial Academy, Imperial College Street, Andingmen, Dongcheng District. (Kitty Chen 137 6497 1435, kitty.chen@be.co)

UK-China Education Development Forum –British-Style Early Years Education, Sep 19
Adults. The UK Department for International Trade, the British Embassy Beijing, and the China-Britain Business Council invite everyone to the “UK-China Education Development Forum – British-Style Early Years Education” to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore collaboration opportunities in Early Years Education between the UK and China. Free but needs RSVP before Sep 12. 8.30am-1.30pm. British Chamber of Commerce in China. The St. Regis Beijing (contact Holm Jiang, Events Manager, CBBC: 8525 1111 ext. 366, Holm.Jiang@cbbc.org.cn)

3e TEA TALK: A Parent’s Guide to Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Development of Young Children, Sep 22
For adults. 3e International School’s Tea Talk for September helps parents learn what to expect, and deepen their understanding of social, emotional, and behavioral development of young children.  The workshop will also examine some red flags of behavioral issues and basic principles of positive behavior management.  Presented by Dr. Lynn Turner, Lead Psychologist and Educational Psychologist, LIH Olivia’s Place. Free, but parents need to email community@3einternationalschool.org to register. 9-10.30am. 3e International School. No. 9-1 Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang (6437 3344)朝阳区将台西路9-1号

Cool Culture

Royal Canal Boat Tour of the Summer Palace, Sep 9
All ages. This is a very well-received boat cruise and walking tour, providing an opportunity to see a bit of everything in the capital, from Beijing Zoo, Beijing Aquarium, and the Purple Bamboo Garden to the Summer Palace and Kunming Lake. RMB 480. 9am-4.30pm. China Culture Center. The Victoria Gardens D4, Chaoyang Park West Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园西路维多利亚花园D4 (WeChat ID: china-culture-center, 6432 9341 for weekdays 9am-6pm, 8420 0671 for after hours and weekends, info@chinaculturecenter.org) www.chinaculturecenter.org

Wandering China’s Trip to Pingyao and Writers’ Competition, Sep 22-25
All ages. Wandering China 观览国际is organizing an exclusive trip to Shanxi province during the Pingyao International Photography Festival, held every September. Join the adventure and automatically participate in their writer’s competition in which participants will get extraordinary gifts, Pingyao tourism bureau diploma, and exceptional opportunities like having your piece published in Wandering China’s magazine and online platforms.  RMB 1,600 per person (fee includes a round trip train ticket, transportation, admissions fee to scenic spots, English-speaking tour guides, hotel accommodation, dining – 3 breakfast and 2 dinners).  Contact Rose Quan at 139 1152 4254 to sign up. Wandering China 观览国际. Rm 2604, Tower A, U-Space, No 8 Guangqu Rd, Chaoyang (WeChat ID: guanlanzhongguo, 2561696019@qq.com) www.wanderingchina.com 北京朝阳区广渠路8号优士阁A座2604

Mooncake Making, Sep 23
All ages. The 16th of 24 solar terms is characterized by the autumn equinox, or qiūfēn (秋分), which also means that Chinese Mid Autumn Festival is approaching. When the day comes, the daytime and the night-time are the same. Moreover, in the ancient times, Chinese worshipped the moon as a god and were preparing many food and sacrifices. But do you know why we eat “moon” cake then? In this activity, you will create a mooncake, which you can fill with plenty of delicious flavors, such as lotus paste, bean paste. RMB 100. 7-9pm.

The Divine Michelangelo at the Bird’s Nest Cultural Centre, until Sep 30
All ages. In cooperation with Italy’s Buonarroti Museum, the Bird’s Nest Cultural Centre is displaying over a hundred works by famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo, including sculptures, paintings, sketches and other masterpieces by the sculptor of David and the Sistine Chapel painter. For more information or to buy tickets, click here. RMB 80, RMB 40 for students, RMB 160 for a family pass. 10am-9pm. Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest).

Fun Fairs and Outdoor Activities

The Great Aussie BBQ, Sep 23
All ages. Head over to Dulwich College Beijing for the Great Aussie BBQ – it’s like being back home. Enjoy Beijing’s cool autumn breeze and be captivated by a thrilling game of AFL where the Beijing Bombers will take on the Shanghai Tigers. The fun does not stop there as visitors will also witness big hits in Beijing Ashes’ cricket match. While everyone munches through fantastic Aussie food and beverages, don’t forget to also try your luck at the raffle for two return tickets to Australia and a Nespresso coffee machine. Free but needs RSVP. 11.30am-4.30pm. AustCham Beijing. Dulwich College Beijing 北京德威英国国际学校, 89 Capital Airport Rd, Shunyi (Email events@austcham.org to RSVP)

Fifth Annual Shuangjing Block Party, Sep 23
All ages. The Shuangjing Block Party is back and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever! Now in its 5th year, the Block Party has grown into one of the premier events in Beijing bringing the Chinese and foreign communities together for a day of great food, drinks, and entertainment. There is something for everyone with live music, a bouncy castle, face painting and clowns, international food and drink booths and other interactive events. The organizers are expecting crowds of over 5,000 people this year, making it the biggest and best event so far. Free. 1-6pm. North Pingod, 22 Art Street, Shuangjing

Expat Connection Family Fair & Picnic, Sep 24
All ages. The Expat Connection team invites everyone to their yearly Family Fair & Picnic at the Canadian International School of Beijing. There will be more than 35 different activities, like pony riding, climbing, art coloring and many other activities while also enjoying food and drinks. The event closes with a huge lottery, sending the lucky winners home with a special memory. Starts 11am. Free entrance. Expat Connection. Canadian International School of Beijing, 38 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang. 中国北京市朝阳区亮马桥路38号(www.china-expat-connection.com)

October Holiday Camp for Kids: Adventure Camp, Sep 30-Oct 8
Kids 7+. This upcoming National Holiday, Imagine brings a new adventure for the little ones of the house (age 7+): Indoor ski (室内滑雪), climbing (室内攀岩), parkour (跑酷), Civilization Game (文明帝国游戏), and Adventure Park (奇妙探险乐园). This camp is the perfect choice for parents who want to stay in Beijing but are looking for outdoor activities that are creative and challenging at the same time to send their kids.RMB 900 per day for indoor ski; RMB 700 per day for climbing or parkour; RMB 750 per day for Civilization Game or Adventure Park. Click here for more information about each activity. 8am-6pm. Imagine. (WeChat ID: Imagine24X7service, 5739 4933)

Photos: sasint via Pixabay; courtesy of organizers

See more of my stories here.
Subway Sunday | Mandarin Monday | The Bucket List | Doctor’s Corner

Email: andypenafuerte@beijing-kids.com
Web: coolkidandy.wordpress.com
Instagram: @coolkidandy

I mentioned in one of my recent articles that “writing is celebrated as one of the fundamental artistic forms of human expression.” For many people, writing is a completely different world where they can express imagination and creativity in as many ways as possible.

Writing can take many forms — fiction, narrative, poetry, diary, blogging. But writing strikes the deepest of our consciousness when it allows us to express ourselves and relate our experiences to others’.

As I’ve always said when I do talks or give advice to interns: “Not everyone is born a writer, but everyone is born a storyteller.” Writing is a skill that can be learned, but storytelling is inherent in everyone. One way to nurture both is to read and ask help from others like parents, teachers, or experienced writers, to name a few.

Our friends in the Beijing Youth Literary Review (BYLR) have been coaching students and budding writers since last year and have helped them publish literary works in their captivating journal. This Saturday, two BLYR interns will be hosting the group’s first-ever bilingual creative writing workshop at The Bookworm in Sanlitun from 2-3pm.

The hosts will instruct youths aged 14 to 19 in the art of haiku, a traditional Japanese poetry style that consists only of three lines having a specific number of syllables. It is an interesting and challenging form of creative writing that will be fun to explore.

When: July 29, starts at 2pm.
Where: The Bookworm, Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang.
Event language: Bilingual (English and Mandarin)
How much: Free
To register: Click/tap here to register

Photos: tanvimalik via Pixabay

More stories by this author here.
Email: andypenafuerte@beijing-kids.com
Instagram: @coolkidandy

Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.

Celebrate the 4^th of July

Independence Weekend at Ramo, until Jul 4
All ages. July 4th is known for its love of home-style comfort food of the United States (and its lavish celebration of becoming an independent nation, too). Since Ramo is all about food, fun, and meeting friends, the weekend before July 4th is known as the Independence Weekend at Ramo. From Saturday, July 1st to Tuesday, July 4th enjoy a special all-American menu consisting of classic dishes – a combo of pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw, baked beans and potato salad, strawberry shortcake, and homemade hard lemonade to keep things a bit more exciting. Also, stick around in the evenings, for America- and independence-themed films. 10am-11pm. Ramo Restaurant & Bar. 64 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District. 东城区 方家胡同64号

Independence Day Celebration at Home Plate, Jul 4
Adults. Come to the Home Plate BBQ to enjoy a scrumptious meal and live music by Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies. There will be a buffet that includes: whole hog and smoked chicken wings for the main course; potato salad, cole slaw, Texas ranch beans and green beans for the side dish; House salad. RMB 138 per person. 6-8pm. Home Plate BBQ. 35 Xiaoyun Lu courtyard, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 霄云路35号院

4th of July Quiz & Cookout, Jul 4
All ages. Come to The Local Bar & Grill for American cookout sets available from 4-8pm. Additionally, adults can stick around for an American Independence Day quiz from 8.30pm on Tuesday, July 4th. People from all countries are invited. The quiz will be hosted by Kenn and Martin, and there will be prizes for the winners of each round as well as the first place team. The Local Bar & Grill. Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 工体北路4号院

Relax and Have Fun

Classic Movie Tuesday: ‘Spellbound’ (1945), Jul 4
Ages 5+. In the heat of a Beijing Summer, we explore what is lurking in the shadows, as Alfred Hitchcock – one of the greatest film writers and directors of all time – takes us on another journey into the darkness of film noir… Join Pop-Up Beijing for ‘Spellbound’ (1945), starring Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, and Michael Chekhov. The story revolves around a psychiatrist who protects the identity of an amnesia patient accused of murder while attempting to recover his memory. 7.30pm. Pop-Up Beijing. North Side, Ground Level, Building 22, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区，三里屯，工体北路4号22号楼104室

Experience the Avengers, until Aug 20
All ages. One of the world’s favorite comic series comes to Beijing! Following stops in Times Square, Paris, Las Vegas and Singapore, this interactive comic book experience hits Beijing, giving kids, families, and fans a chance to see Avengers memorabilia up close and to learn more about their favorite heroes. RMB 198 on weekdays, RMB 258 on weekends. Chaoyang Park West Gate. 8 Square, 4th Gate West Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang, Beijing. 北京 朝阳区 北京朝阳公园西4门－－08广场.

Sureño’s Weekend Brunch, every weekend
All ages. Sureño’s Sunken Garden hosts a relaxing brunch every weekend where you and your family can help yourself to a fabulous buffet table and select your main course from favorites including Eggs Benedict, Shakshuka, Duck Cavatelli, Chicken Rösti, and many others. After your meal, you can appease your sweet tooth with delicious desserts such as Chocolate and Raspberry Tart, Nectarine Tatin, and Million Layer Tiramisu Cake. Call 6410 5240 or email info@surenorestaurant.com to reserve. RMB 348 per person (inclusive of service charge and VAT). 11am-3pm. Sureño’s Sunken Garden. B1/F, The Opposite House, Sanlitun Village, 11 Sanlitun Lu Chaoyang District. 朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯Village瑜舍地下1层

CandleX Rooftop Yoga, every Sunday
All ages. Relax with a sunset yoga session at the rooftop of old Beijing hutong house, and enjoy a cup of tea and social time afterward. Yoga is not just for the body, but also for the mind. This is a wonderful opportunity for like-minded people to gather and get to know each other in a cozy setting. There are 12 spots available every Sunday. RMB 100. 5-7pm. CandleX. Nanluoguxiang area. (WeChat ID: candlex2015, info@candlex.cn, www.candlex.cn)

Falling into Place: The Art of Song Jiayin, Jun 20 – Jul 30 (excluding Mondays)
All ages. “True, but not real; ideal, but not abstract.” This quote by Marcel Proust is the best way to describe the abstract art of Song Jiayin. Her works, made up of portraits and sculpture, are full of tiny details, with no one clear point of view, inviting the audience to ponder their own memories and associations. She is currently showing in Caochangdi’s Hunsand Space. Free. 11am-6pm. Hunsand Space. For more information visit https://www.douban.com/event/28898370/ Caochangdi Art Zone, Block 211, Building A8 草场地艺术区211号院A8

Enjoy the Fresh Air

The Prince, the Widow, and the Scholar: A Walk and Discussion Around the Lakes of Beijing, Jul 4
All ages. Come out for a walk around Beijing’s scenic lakes including Qianhai and Houhai^. The walk includes three stops: the gorgeous former home of Guo Moruo, an author, artist, and poet; the palace of Aisin-Gioro Yixin, better known as Prince Gong; and the former home of Soong Ch’ing-ling, the widow of revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen. Sign up here. RMB 300 (RMB 260 for members of The Hutong) includes all guide fees, tips, and admission tickets. 10am-1pm. Qianhai Xiyan, 51 Di’anmen Dajie Dongcheng District. 东城区 地安门大街51号前海西沿

Zhenbiancheng Great Wall Loop Hike, July 6
Ages 7+. Head out to the border of Beijing Municipality and Hebei Province for a moderately difficult walk through peach orchards, up valleys, and along the Great Wall. Be amazed by the breathtaking views of the distinctive peaks of nearby ‘Brush-rest’ Mountain. This remote part of the Great is rough and seldom-visited, but don’t miss out on this hike if you’re interested in a visit to a section of the wall very different to what you’ve seen on postcards. Call for info on hikes and what to bring. RMB 400 (RMB 360 for members). 8am-6pm. Beijing Hikers. (6432 2786, info@beijinghikers.com, hwww.beijinghikers.com) Rm 601, Bldg 2, Xinhualian Ligang, 26 Jiuxianqiao Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 酒仙桥中路26号新华联丽港2号楼601室.

Himalaya cultural trips in Nepal, various dates in July
All ages. After a successful completion of summer trips with families from different countries last year, Magic Expeditions & Depth of Field Himalaya Travels are delighted to welcome their new family guests again this year. Activities cover interactions with locals, farm visits, historical areas, trekking (suitable for children), after quake visit to villages, culture exchange, healing workshops, monastery & sadhu visits,  a journey to discover & reconnect. Depth of Filed Himalaya Travels. (189 8721 3504, himalayatrips@yahoo.com, www.imnotblue.com/himalaya).

Learn and Discover

International Restaurant and Hotel Show, Jul 6
All ages. The China International Exhibition Center is hosting the 2017 International Restaurant and Hotel Show. With over 530 businesses set to participate, check out everything from B2B business matching, an Italian coffee latte art competition, a gelato-making class, how to decorate with fondant, tips on making the best cocktails, and countless other seminars and forums. Great for the foodies among us. Free. 9am-4pm. China International Exhibition Center. 6 Beisanhuan Donglu, Sanyuan Qiao, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 朝阳区北三环东路6号

Festival of International Culture, Jul 7
All ages. That’s Mandarin present the Festival of International Cultural Exchange, where participants can bring food from their home countries while at the same time enjoying foods from other cultures. Different activities for participants include three different games in which parents can also participate. There will also be a cosplay party. The event will end with a talk show about participants’ cultural specificities. RMB 50. 10am-11.50am. That’s Mandarin. (5218 6432, info@thatsmandarin.com). 1/F, Office Bldg B, Xinzhong Yuan, Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng District. 东城区 新中街新中园写字楼B座1层

Weekly Drawing Classes, until Nov 25
All ages. The weekly art sessions will run until November 25. They’re perfect for families with children that have a passion for art. Students at the SLab can learn correct drawing techniques, how to draw portraits and even papier mâché. Come join the Academic Drawing Class from 1-3pm, and/or the Creative Drawing Class from 4-6pm. RMB 290 per class. The SLab. (138 1121 8031). R102 Building 5, No.15 DongzimenWai Street Dongcheng Street. 北京东城区东直门外大街15号楼5单元102室.

Speak Mandarin Fluently in Three Months, every day until Dec 31, 2018
All ages. Sophia Zhang is putting expats to the test and challenging to learn to speak Mandarin fluently in just three months. Join us to enhance your Chinese skills daily and conquer this difficult language once and for all. Requires an application; sign up here. 5.30am-10.30pm. Mandarin House Beijing. Suite 317, Tower 16, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Road, Shuangjing. 朝阳区建国路89号华贸商务楼16号楼317室

Dumpling Cooking Class, Wed and Thu until Dec 31
All ages. Come to the courtyard KUCINA Cooking Studio to learn how to make traditional Chinese dumplings. Come on your own or bring your friend friends for a dumpling cooking class, which includes a meal around the table. Call to make a reservation one day in advance. 10.30am. (150 1133 7590). 44 Liushui Xiang, Dongsi Wutiao, Dongcheng District. 东城区 东四五条流水巷44号.

Children’s Book Expo & Beijing Science Festival, Jul 7-16
All ages. Already in its third consecutive year, the China Children’s Book Expo is back and this year’s event is combined in one space with Beijing Science Festival. Browse and buy children’s books from over 40 children’s publishers and participate in a wide range of interactive activities themed around children’s books and science.  Once you’ve explored children’s books until your heart’s content, move on to discover a whole world of science fun! RMB 120 per person, free entry for children under 0.9m tall. 10am- 5pm. Beijing Exhibition Center. 135 Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng District. 西城区 西直门外大街135号.

Creative Writing Workshop, second and last Saturday of every month
Ages 14-19. Join the Beijing Youth Literary Review (BYLR) for creative writing workshops to learn about Blackout Poetry, Collaborative Stories and more. 2pm. For more information, follow BYLR on Facebook, Instagram (@beijingyouthlit), and WeChat (beijingyouthlit). #13 Unit 6, Building C, Xiangjiang Bei An, Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing. 北京市朝阳区香江北路香江北岸C座6单元底商13号

Go camping

Atelier Summer Camps, Jul 3-7
Ages 5+ Like every year, Atelier’s team has created a series of epic and adventurous workshops through art history, literature and history, and science! This July, register for the Middle Age workshops, where children will learn about castle models and Middle Age art, manuscript, architecture, and coats of arms. RMB 1,800 to RMB 5,000. Room 10L, Building 7, Julong Garden, No. 68 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng District. 北京市东城区新中街68号聚龙花园7号楼10L室

Survival Camp, July
Ages 7-14. Making fires, building rafts, crossing rivers, making traps and tools, cooking fish, building shelters… Survival Camp takes you to the great outdoors to learn what nature has to offer. Taught by guides with many years of experience leading survival camps abroad. Click here for more information about camp dates and payment deadlines. Sign up at http://imagine-china.com/survival-camp/. RMB 750 (normal price per day); RMB 650 (early bird price per day if you will sign Up a month before the start and pay a deposit) RMB 650 (per day for 3 children) RMB 550 (per day for 10 kids). (WeChat ID: Imagine24x7Service, 5739 4933, info@imagine-china.com)

Flips & Kicks Plus Summer Camp @ Kerry Sports 2017, Jul 5
Ages 4-12. For the first week of July and the first two weeks of August, Kerry Sports will be hosting a summer camp where children can engage in fun sports, including martial arts, gymnastics, volleyball, and fencing. Expert foreign coaches will be on hand to keep everyone safe while teaching children the benefits of patient practice. Sign up for a half day (9am-noon, with lunch included) or full day (9am-2.30pm). RMB 3,200-4,500. 9am-noon (half day), 9am-2.30pm (full day). Beijing Kerry Center. (hbkc@thekerryhotels.com, 8565 2460).

Sports Beijing Summer Camp, until Aug 11
Ages 5+. Sports Beijing is offering a wide variety of weekday full-day activities and half-day activities, both in the morning and afternoon from June 19 to August 11. This summer camp will be held inside the air conditioned and air purified ISB dome and the morning activities will include basketball, football, gymnastic, and tennis. In the afternoon the activities will include a multi-sport program, as well as tennis. Spots are limited. For other information and registration, contact Sports Beijing via WeChat (ID: sportbeijing). (6430 1370, 6430 1176, info@sportsbj.com)

Fashion Summer Camp, whole month of July
Ages 8+. Get ready this July 2017 for an exciting new set of fashion themed programs available at the SLab. From designing to sewing, students will learn a variety of skills that brings out creativity and exercises dexterity skills. At the Slab’s Kid’s Summer Camp, the four key fashion topics that will be explored are: Machine Sewing; Textile Crafts; Needlework; and Drawing. The SLab. (138 1121 8031). Room 102 Building 5, No.15 Dongzhimen Outer Street (Haolou South Gate) Dongcheng District, Beijing. 北京东城区东直门外大街15号楼5单元102室.

Storytelling Summer Camp, whole month of July
Ages 8+. In this age of technological advancement and accessible social media platforms, there are no limits to what we can create and share with the world with just the phones in our hands. With limitless sources for output, there comes a tendency to lose sight of the importance in foundational elements. Just take a look at the sheer amount of lifeless narratives in the Summer blockbusters, an explosion of images with no clear objective. The SLab brings you a whole new theme of Storytelling workshops, where students will be able to explore three different methods to tell stories, from illustration, to photography, to film.  Come build stories and narratives with The SLab’s three available programs: Movie Making; Comic Creation; and Visual Diary. The SLab. (138 1121 8031). Room 102 Building 5, No.15 Dongzhimen Outer Street (Haolou South Gate) Dongcheng District, Beijing. 北京东城区东直门外大街15号楼5单元102室.

Photos: Wow_Pho, 422737, Brahmsee via Pixabay; Other photos courtesy of the organizers

More stories by this author here.

Writing is celebrated as one of the fundamental artistic forms of human expression. Like our rich emotions, literature takes different forms to satisfy our need to define our identities and shake our understanding of nature and reality.

But what is enthralling in literature is its inherent quality to connect minds, from authors to an audience anywhere in the world. A string of words, a collection of paragraphs, or a melody of lyrics carries a vivid mixture of ideas flowing from the imagination of its creator. How an audience interacts with these forms is as magical as their creation.

The Hurdles of Student Potential in the Digital Age

“Imagine if you couldn’t talk. It would be hard to express those deep feelings,” 10-year-old Shiraz Rothschild told beijingkids, “Writing is a form of art because you’re trying to express yourself just like what the early cavemen did. Instead of making sounds, they drew and that’s what’s probably more affectionate and personal.” The Grade 4 pupil at The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) is one of the students who wrote a collection of literature as part of the school’s literacy program. “[But] since we have computers and technology, you can remember quotes or Google something,” she continued.

Whereas technology has opened many new channels for self-expression, it has a detrimental effect on people-to-people interaction. “It seems that people have lost their humanistic side in this digital age and conversation have been replaced with [short-form] messages or emails,” said Kaersten Deeds, university counselor at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB).

Student literature is mostly published in-house.

Today’s messaging methods have brought that impulse for swift responses, which are more often laconic and prone to misinterpretation. When what is viewed as a facilitator limits personal interaction,  we wondered how it would affect reading and writing.

“The limitations in conversation have plagued many students who are a part of this super digital generation,” Deeds said. “They have lost the ability to communicate effectively and advocate on their behalf. There are a newfound shyness and awkwardness attributed to human interaction that can now easily be masked by [short-form] text.”

Students are also prone to look for simplistic answers while discovering their own voice. Simon Shieh, one of the editors of Beijing Youth Literary Review (BYLR), said that youth have a hard time seeing the larger picture. “[They] are constantly looking for the right answer and that’s a bad thing to do when you’re writing creatively or what you’re writing about is a kind of expository essay, or just making an argument. A lot of times in writing there is no right answer. I guess that might be something that holds students back nowadays.”

That difficulty in self-expression can be attributed to the dilemma of finding an identity, especially for students. There’s so much noise in the background and more often than not, youngsters try to conform to whatever is the norm or prescribed by society. When students write essays for school tests, preparation for university, or to express themselves, Deeds said they follow the superficial, use a complex jargon, or discuss a hackneyed theme. The combination results in a stagnant and bland story that shows no deep thoughts or fails to reflect their character and potential.

Creating a Student-Led Narrative

“Children are storytellers, negotiators, and reporters. They’re all of these things,” said Colette Cooke, lead teacher and deputy academic head at MSB. Cultivating their inner selves, as she said, is done through motivation. But in writing, a crucial factor is not just motivating but also valuing children’s contributions. “No matter what they write, read it like it’s gold, showing them that you value their voice and that there are different ways to communicate with their audience.”

Rothschild told beijingkids she has written four books and a number of poems as part of MSB Authors, a platform under MSB’s literacy curriculum that allows students to author books and compose poems and other literary works. All the compositions are put in MSB Authors Corner in the library and in every classroom for other children and visitors to enjoy.

“It was impressive! If I didn’t put my name next to it, my family probably would think that it was written by someone else,” Rothschild said of her very first book about herself, published when she was grade 1. At the time of writing, Rothschild is creating her fourth book, about Greek mythology.

The platform, as MSB calls it, is a concept initiated by their student Catherine Ma and her mother last year. In April 2017, we featured Ma and how she authored a bilingual book that compiled years of her literary work at the school. MSB developed the concept and integrated it into their English literacy program. Cooke said the platform nurtures student authors in this age of technology by going back to the roots of writing: knowing first their interests, and then teaching them the underlying skills in writing and publishing, and exposing them in different literary genres. The outcomes come in the form of books: poetry, biography, and fiction. Since the launch of MSB Authors, the school has seen a continuous stream of literary production from students.

“My philosophy is that the books that our children read in the library are no more valuable than the books they produce themselves, or the things they have to say,” Cooke said. “When we offer children an idea or experience, the directions that they go in are endless.”

Corners such as this appear in the library and every classroom.

Real World Opportunities for Young Writers

When given an opportunity, young people can create colorful and perceptive personal narratives through writing. “[That] identity can help you feel like you’re something… not defined by your grades, depression or anxiety, or your parents,” Shieh said. “Some teenagers are timider and they will not tell their stories, but a lot of other teenagers are just burning to tell someone [their narratives]and to be taken seriously, [and]that’s the thing that BYLR does – to take young writers seriously.”

In Spring 2017, Shieh and colleagues Kate Rowe and Jennifer Fossenbell launched the first issue of BLYR, Maps. It featured 40 student writers from different schools across Beijing, all of them giving a perception of the ethereal territories of childhood and growing up.

“It’s such an empowering tool [and]feeling for a young writer to have this platform … and be taken seriously as someone who has an interesting story.”

Preparation for Life and Study After Grade School

Shieh said BYLR not only gives personalized feedback to budding writers, but also readies them for college applications, helps improve their creative and technical writing skills, and fosters a creative literary and artistic community of young people in Beijing.

But what is important, as he said, is to let young people vent out and let their voices be heard through writing. “There’s always going to be people who need to create narratives out of their experiences, their lives, as a kind of catharsis or a way to solidify their identity.” Shieh believes that it is important for educators to teach young people the craft of writing to help students to liberate their voices without getting stuck in the notions of what is right or wrong, or good or bad.

Cooke, meanwhile, said that elementary children need to be exposed to hands-on and collaborative activities with older peers so that they will be motivated to write as part of holistic learning. Most of the time when students share their literary work, she explained, they become enthusiastic to the point that they want to write more. “We’re a Montessori school and we teach in multiple age groups. And that’s exactly why we do it. Younger children learn best from peers that are slightly older than them. And it just develops so much community in the school to do that.”

The proud work of the Beijing Youth Literary Review

Words from Within

Rothschild shows no sign of stopping her literature production. “I will still write books, but the books will probably be very different. When I look at the journals [I made] when I was in first grade … it’s also like saying how good you were at that age. When I think of them, I’m like ‘I was so little, I was so young, everything wasn’t that good.’ But when you look at it now, you’ll be like, ‘Wow, I was so mature and big.’”

Both Cooke and Shieh believe that writing comes from the unconscious, and it is important young people be invested in it so that they can amplify their voices, exude their identities, and express their emotions. When someone understands and relates to that voice, the writer succeeds in producing a powerful piece of work, Shieh said, while Cooke calls it “magical” and a “quintessential thing about being a human.”

“If you lose the ability to speak,” Rothschild said, “… it’d be hard. But I think I can go a whole day without speaking and just showing my emotions, like happy or sad. Because people, humans, basically depend on emotions. Words are the connections from emotion to emotion. If you didn’t have emotions, there would be no use for words.”

Featured image shows Colette Cooke (left) who has encouraged Shiraz Rothschild (right) and other MSB pupils to author literacy works. Photos: Lens Studio and courtesy of Beijing Youth Literary Review.

The Beijing Youth Literary Review (BYLR) is looking for submissions for their second edition, to be published near the end of June, with the theme “Pockets.”

Students ages 14-19 are encouraged to send their poems, stories or art submissions in English or Chinese (or both!) by May 15 at midnight.

Benefits for submitting work include feedback on request, even if the work is not published, selected pieces being published in print, the opportunity for public reading, and entry into the prize drawing for the first annual Beijing Youth Writers Award at the end of the year.

Submissions do have loose guidelines, including a word count limit for flash fiction and short stories, and a total page limit for the maximum allowance of five poems.

Five pieces of visual and graphic art, and/or photography, may include a 50 word artist’s statement.

All submissions require a biographical statement of 50 words or less in the “I am…” format.

Turn in your submission here.

We reached out to Simon Shieh, one of the editors of the publication, to ask what the current concept was and how it deviated from the first edition.

“In the first edition, “Maps,” we invited contributors to share with us their places, topographies, locations, directions, etc. Now, with “Pockets,” we want contributors to dig deeper and give us intimate expressions of themselves, their secrets, and those things, ideas, and people that they hold closest to themselves,” Shieh explained.

BYLR editors pictured from left to right: Kate Rowe, Simon Shieh, and Jennifer Fossenbell.

We were impressed to hear that over 80 young people submitted their work to the first issue of BYLR.

“While I expect many of those same contributors to submit work again for the second issue, I also expect students from a wider variety of schools to submit. We hope that students will not only see the practical benefits (like IB CAS requirements, college applications, CV’s, etc.) but also the personal benefits of seeing their work published alongside that of other writers and becoming part of a larger creative community that extends beyond their own school,” Shieh commented.

If you’re a teacher who wants to get involved, Shieh has created a group for Literature and Creative Writing teachers where they share activities for creative writing, as well as BYLR news and events. To join, just send them an email at the address below.

As for parents, Shieh said, “Parents are always welcome to our events as well, and can encourage their kids to submit, because sometimes they need a little nudge.”

To connect with the crew at BYLR for general inquiries, reach out to them at info@beijingyouthlit.com, or check out their website at beijingyouthlit.com. Additionally, you can follow them on their official WeChat account (ID: BYLR北京青少年文学).

Photos: Beijing Youth Literary Review