Text: Rosa Hauch · Photo: Yvonn Spauschus
From his Chinese wife’s point of view, Andreas Opfermann will never understand the subtleties of martial arts. But her initial doubts quickly dissipated.
For the past ten years, he has even been wearing the traditional Chinese clothing almost daily. “It is loose and light. There are thousands of years of experience in these clothes. There is no reason to ignore it. It cools in summer and warms in winter. It doesn’t get any smarter than that.”
For Andreas, Tai Chi was already part of his lifestyle during his studies. In the meantime, he practices Qi Gong, archery, calligraphy, masterfully celebrates the preparation of tea and passes on his knowledge to interested people.
Those who wish learn to understand that there is a difference between the inner culture and the outer forms of the techniques. “Everything we learn cultivates us and eventually we understand the interplay of details and their complexity.”
Confucius says, stay curious
Well, Confucius chose different words. “Education creates confidence. Confidence creates hope. Hope creates peace.”
And since 2003, Andreas has been concerned with education and trust as a founding member of the Sino-German Centre. In the various projects, he is not alone in this either. The team is growing and so is the interest in culture, in cultures. For Chinese young people in turn find German things they take for granted exotic.
Flower boxes are so spectacularly beautiful
Especially in northern China, it is almost impossible or infinitely expensive to indulge in the luxury of flowers on the balcony. The climate is too dry and too windy. In northern China, balconies are used pragmatically, for drying laundry.
Andrea’s parents-in-law have a small balcony with a few jasmine plants. But that’s only because the blossoms flavour the tea that people there love to drink.
More information
Chinesisch-Deutsches Zentrum e.V. · 01219 Dresden
Altstrehlen 5 · 01219 Dresden
Contact: Si Cao (Chinese German Language Corner), Andreas Opfermann (Media and public relations)
Mail: mail@huadezhongxin.org · Phone: 0351 459 34 63
Dresdner Nachbarschaften – sichtbar, vernetzt, engagiert!
Neighbourhoods are everywhere – we are right in the middle of it. With district walks, conversations in the green, creative workshops, exhibitions and much more.
Period
05-12.2023
Project coordination
Yvonn Spauschus (project management)
Yulia Vishnichenko · Moussa Mbarek · Nadine Wölk · Nazanin Zandi (workshop leader)
Rosa Brockelt · Rosa Hauch · Falk Goernert (moderation and documentation)
Cooperation partners
Club Passage / JugendKunstschule Dresden · Omse e.V. · Chinesisch Deutsches Zentrum e.V. · Treffpunkt Prohlis / Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V. · Stadtteilverein Johannstadt e.V. · Neues Volkshaus Cotta / Konglomerat e.V. · Montagscafé / Staatsschauspiel Dresden · Freizeitclub / Lebenshilfe Dresden e.V. · Quartiersmanagement Prohlis, Johannstadt und Gorbitz
Supported by
The project is funded by the State Ministry for Social Affairs and Social Cohesion. This measure is co-financed with tax funds on the basis of the budget passed by the Saxon state parliament within the framework of the state programme Integrative Maßnahmen.
