Life Culture

History in the remaking

More than 160 performers, a three-level traditional Chinese block-bracket structure, Peking Opera, acrobatics, martial arts, ballet, choir and videos are all packed into the National Theater of China's latest production, Heavenly Dynasty 1900.

More than a textbook hero

When Jacques-Louis David's oil painting, Premiere Consul Bonaparte at Mont Saint-Bernard, Alpes, on May 20, 1800, was first included in the masterpieces from Versailles at the National Art Museum of China in 2005, it generated great interest among ordinary Chinese about Napoleon Bonaparte. Before that, the French hero was just a name that embodied power and majesty and a chapter in the history textbooks.

Many other treats on offer

Napoleon et le Louvre also inaugurated the third Croisements/Jiaoliu, an art festival which includes more than 100 visual and stage works in 18 Chinese cities. The other exhibitions are:

American classic gets a Chinese makeover

When Ephraim Cabot brings his young bride Abbie to their remote New England farm, little does he see the turmoil that her arrival will bring his family. Ephraim's youngest son at first loathes the newcomer, but when hatred gives way to lust, the resulting conflict threatens to rock the peaceful farm.

Life Expat

East or West? Both works best

Basketball star Yao Ming's injury dramas have helped shine the spotlight on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), an ancient practice used by more and more people around the globe. Yao says he will use TCM as well as Western medicine to help his recovery in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics. He is desperate to be fit for the biggest tournament of his life.

Your say

Seat yourself

Great Alps, great minds and great endeavors for peace

When many people think of Switzerland they may draw up images of a man clothed in Lederhosen standing high on the Alps and belching out a powerful barrage of baritone through a long wooden trumpet-like alphorn.

Life Pulse

Grooming the captains

SHANGHAI: Many graduates find it tough to find a good job after completing university. But not Luo Jiali.

A humbling lesson by an itinerant vendor

I left my office around dusk. The street was crowded, as usual. Back in the old days, the Chinese used to describe busy traffic as "cheshui malong" - chariots like flowing water and horses like dragons. Well, in modern metropolises, this can be adapted to mean "chariots like stagnant water and horses like wooden dragons".