Qixi Festival 2025 | Chinese Valentine’s Day | IAK Culture Association

A poetic encounter of tradition and modernity—The China Cultural Center in Bern presents the “Essence of Serenity and Splendor – Chinese Aesthetics of Living Exhibition” (Aug 23 – Oct 25), in collaboration with the Prince Kung’s Palace Museum.

🌕 文明在此相遇——第四届 IAK 生命科学论坛暨中秋文化节 2025 View Event Details & Calendar | 查看活动详情与日历 Introduction | 引言 Amid the verdant folds of the Alps and the rippling waters of the Rhine and Lake Walensee, a “cultural spirit” nurtured by scholars, artists, philosophers, and wellness mentors from both East and West is gracefully dancing through the Rhine Valley. This is the IAK Culture Association Switzerland, founded on the guiding principle of “West meets East, ancient meets modern”, weaving

丝路华章：绫罗绸缎的千年织语 IAK Intangible Cultural Heritage Series: The splendid heritage and cultural charm of four traditional Chinese silks IAK非遗文化系列之绫罗绸缎：四种丝织品的华美传承与文化韵味 In the magnificent tapestry of Chinese civilization, Ling (绫), Luo (罗), Chou (绸), and Duan (缎) stand as four dazzling pearls. These traditional silk fabrics carry the legacy of millennia-old weaving craftsmanship and cultural heritage. They are not merely materials for clothing but symbols of ancient rituals and aest

让Z时代重启文化 In today’s rapidly evolving world, Generation Z stands at a unique crossroads. Born into an age of technological explosion and global connectivity, they are reshaping how culture is understood, experienced, and transmitted. At the heart of this transformation lies the IAK Culture Association Switzerland — a vibrant platform dedicated to bridging the wisdom of ancient traditions with the creative energy of youth. 在这个快速变化的时代，Z时代站在一个独特的十字路口。他们生于科技爆炸与全球互联的时代，正在重新塑造文化的理解、

A Bowl of Cool Noodles for the Summer Solstice, A Song of Nines to Mark the Season 二十四节气之夏至：一碗凉面迎夏至，一首九九歌识时节 In 2025, the Summer Solstice falls on Saturday, June 21st. 2025年，夏至的日期是6月21日星期六 Among the 24 traditional solar terms in the Chinese calendar, the Summer Solstice stands out as a moment rich with seasonal meaning and cultural traditions. It marks the longest day and the most radiant sunlight of the year. For many in northern China, this day is celebrated with a cooling

Duanwu Elegance by Lake Walensee — Swiss Session of the 9th International Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival & 2025 Chengdu International Guqin Art Week 飞龙送福 · 瑞士瓦伦湖畔端午雅集 ——第九届成都国际非物质文化遗产节 · 2025成都国际古琴艺术周 · 瑞士分会场 📅 May 31st, 2025 (Lunar May 5 – Duanwu Festival)（乙巳年午月初五·端午节） 📍 IHHRC, Resort Walensee, Switzerland Between Mountains and Waters, the Heart Finds Its Home “The mountain need not be high—where spirits dwell, it gains renown;The water need not be deep—where dragon

竞舟之外：端午何以传千年 Every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, our Western friends ask: “How are you celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival this year?” What they don’t realize is that the real name of this festival is Duanwu. Translating it as "Dragon Boat Festival" is where the misunderstanding begins. 每年到了五月初五，西方朋友常常问我们：“你们今年龙舟节怎么过？”但他们不知道，这个节日真正的名字是端午节。把“Duanwu”翻译成“Dragon Boat Festival”，误解就从这里开始了。 What Does “Duanwu” Actually Mean? 为什么叫“端午”？ “Duan” means “upright” or “beg

A Moment of Fragrance, a Message of Cultural Resonance May 2025 —In the spirit of renewal, connection, and cross-cultural dialogue, the IAK Culture Association Switzerland, in partnership with Health & Happiness Group, launches a vibrant series of cultural and wellness events this May under the theme: “The Beauty of Diversity · The Source of Well-being.” This season of celebration began with a fragrant gesture at the 2025 China–Switzerland Business Forum in Shanghai. There, A

Following Nature, Nourishing the Heart 二十四节气之立夏：顺应天时，养护心神 Li Qingzhao, the famed poet of the Song Dynasty (1084–1155), once wrote: “In this season of lingering chills and sudden warmth, it is hardest to find ease.” These simple yet profound words capture the subtle shifts in climate as spring gives way to summer, reminding us how essential it is to care for both body and mind during times of transition. 宋代著名词人李清照（1084–1155）曾写道：“乍暖还寒时节，最难将息。”寥寥数语，深刻描绘了春夏交替时节的气候变幻，也提醒我们：季节更替之际，

从成都平原到莱茵河谷，一场心灵与文明的缓慢迁徙 She is the one who brought Chinese ancient wisdom to the Swiss Alps 她将中国传统智慧带入瑞士阿尔卑斯山 In the Swiss Alps, there lives an Eastern woman who, with the spiritual light of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, has ignited the Western world’s passion for the ancient wisdom of China. Her name is Jian Geyang, a thinker, educator, and bridge-builder between Eastern and Western cultures. 在瑞士的阿尔卑斯山间，有一位东方女子，以儒释道的精神之光，点燃了西方世界对中国古老智慧的热忱。她叫简歌扬，一位在中西文化之间行走的思想者和教育者。 T

清明节，既是怀念，也是启示。让我们在纪念中感悟生命，在思念中传承文化。 April 4, 2025 Qingming Festival: Customs and Traditions Qingming Festival, one of China’s four major traditional holidays alongside the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, is a celebration deeply rooted in cultural traditions. Held annually during the spring, when the weather is mild and nature comes alive, Qingming symbolizes not only the awakening of the earth but also the remembrance of ancestors, marking the

📅 March 30, 2025 – The Start of Daylight Saving Time (DST)! Every year, on the last Sunday of March, Switzerland and most of Europe transition to Daylight Saving Time (DST). At 2:00 AM, clocks move forward to 3:00 AM, giving us longer daylight hours and shorter nights. While this adjustment may seem like a small shift, it can significantly impact our physical and mental balance. At IAK, we embrace the harmony between nature and human life. So, how can we adapt to this time s

Over 3,000 years ago, Chinese astronomy had already reached remarkable heights, leading the world in celestial observation and timekeeping. Among its many achievements was the development of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, a system that harmonizes human life with nature’s rhythms. One such solar term is Spring Equinox (Chūnfēn, 春分)—a moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, bringing equal lengths of day and night. In 2025, the Spring Equinox falls on March 20th. This b

Yin-Yang(Lunar&Solar) Calendar: The Philosophy of Astronomy and Harmony In human observation of nature and cosmology, the relationship between heaven and earth is not just a scientific question but also a cultural philosophy. The Yin-Yang calendar is a system that harmonizes the astronomical movements of the Earth, Moon, and Sun with human life. Astronomical Systems and the Way of Yin-Yang Observing the Moon and the Sun from Earth reveals distinct lunar&Solar cycles: the syno

瑞雪迎春，共庆团圆——瑞士莱茵河谷国际学校农历新年盛典回顾 Date: January 28, 2025 Location: International School Rheintal (ISR), Switzerland 瑞士莱茵河谷国际学校 https://www.isr.ch/ （Spring festival：Inscribed in 2024 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/spring-festival-social-practices-of-the-chinese-people-in-celebration-of-traditional-new-year-02126） The IAK Culture Association, in collaboration with the International School Rheintal (ISR), succ

二十四节气之冬至 Winter Solstice: The Rebirth of Yang in the Rhythms of Nature The Xuanyuan Era (轩辕纪年), also known as Huangdi Era（黄帝纪元） is a system of dating based on the year of the Emperor Xuanyuan Huangdi's ascension to the throne, with the first year being the Jiazi year (甲子年) of the Chinese sexagenary cycle. According to calculations, the first year of the Xuanyuan Era corresponds to 2697 BC in the Gregorian calendar, marking the start of the ganzi (天干地支) cycle. The Xuanyuan Era

The End of an Era: Cristo Statue in Bad Ragaz is No More December 15, 2024 After nearly a decade of standing as a cultural and artistic beacon, the Cristo statue in Bad Ragaz has met its final fate. The 11-meter-tall sculpture, a symbol of the sixth edition of Bad Ragartz in 2014, was dismantled and transported for disposal this week. Its removal marks the end of an era for the Sarganserland region and its vibrant artistic heritage. A Short-Lived Legacy Originally envisioned

The Year of the Snake is often called the "Year of Life," imbued with deep cultural significance. Across Chinese history, mythology, and nature, the snake has symbolized the essence of life—its continuation, renewal, and transformation. In the ancient Book of Poems (Shijing), the snake is poetically linked to the creation of life. Dreaming of a snake was seen as an auspicious omen, signaling the birth of a daughter. In later folklore, this association broadened, with the snak

Celebrate the Lunar New Year: A Festive Gathering of Culture and Community 庆祝农历新年：文化与社区的欢乐聚会 Holiday Date日期: January 28th - February 3rd, 2025（乙巳蛇年春节） Dear Friends and Partners, 亲爱的朋友和合作伙伴： We are excited to invite you to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2025! This joyous occasion marks the start of the Year of the Snake, a time to gather, share blessings, and honor tradition. 我们诚挚邀请您一同庆祝 2025 年的农历新年！这一欢乐的时刻标志着蛇年的开始，是亲朋好友相聚、分享祝福和尊重传统的美好时刻。 Our international community will be hos