Tea for Harmony – Yaji Cultural Salon｜Qin Studies and Eastern Aesthetics
- 山水闲人Jane
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
May 23, 2026.
Lucerne, Switzerland
茶和天下 · 雅集｜琴学与东方雅韵
Recently, the “Tea for Harmony – Yaji Cultural Salon” was held in Lucerne, Switzerland, bringing together Swiss and Chinese audiences in an atmosphere shaped by tea, qin music, and the spirit of Chinese literati culture.
近日，“茶和天下·雅集”于瑞士卢塞恩举行。在茶香与琴音交织的氛围中，中瑞观众共同感受中国文人四艺与东方美学所承载的文化精神。
“Tea for Harmony – Yaji” is a global cultural initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China to promote Chinese culture worldwide. Around International Tea Day (May 21) each year, related events are held across dozens of countries. The Lucerne gathering was supported by the Embassy of China in Switzerland and organized by the China Cultural Center in Bern, promoting intercultural dialogue through tea and traditional arts.
“茶和天下·雅集”是由中国文化和旅游部发起的全球性中华文化推广项目。每年“国际茶日”（5月21日）前后，活动在全球数十个国家联动开展。本次瑞士卢塞恩雅集在中国驻瑞士大使馆支持下，由伯尔尼中国文化中心主办，以茶为媒，促进不同文化之间的交流与理解。
During the gathering, the President of the IAK Association presented a lecture on qin studies, exploring guqin culture, the Four Arts of the Chinese literati, and the aesthetics of Eastern philosophy, accompanied by a live performance of the renowned guqin piece Flowing Water.
The spirit embodied in Flowing Water reflects a timeless friendship that transcends cultures and borders. In 1977, the piece was included in the NASA Voyager Golden Record as part of the sounds of human civilization sent into outer space; the art of the guqin was also inscribed by UNESCO in 2003 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Through qin music and storytelling, the audience experienced the philosophy, poetic imagery, and humanistic tradition embodied in the art of the guqin.
活动期间，IAK瑞士亚洲文化协会会长受邀发表琴学讲座，围绕古琴文化、中国文人四艺与东方审美精神展开分享，并现场演奏古琴名曲《流水》。
《流水》所承载的“高山流水遇知音”精神，寄托着跨越文化与国界的真挚友谊。1977年，该曲被收录于NASA“旅行者号”金唱片，作为人类文明声音的一部分飞向太空；古琴艺术亦于2003年被列入联合国教科文组织人类非物质文化遗产名录。通过琴乐与讲述，现场观众共同感受古琴艺术中所蕴含的哲思、意境与人文传统。
In addition, the association’s Director of Guqin Affairs performed the classical guqin composition Fisherman Singing at Dusk, whose serene melodies resonated beautifully within the atmosphere of the tea gathering.
协会古琴理事亦现场演绎古琴经典《醉渔唱晚》。琴音悠远，与茶席雅集相映成趣，共同营造出一场富有东方雅韵的文化交流盛会。
The event inspired warm and meaningful exchanges among participants. A Swiss sinologist, deeply moved by the guqin performance, recalled Confucius’ famous description of music whose resonance lingers long after the sound has faded. Beyond language and culture, the aesthetics and spirit of the qin once again created a profound connection among listeners in Lucerne.
现场交流气氛温暖而真挚。一位瑞士汉学家在聆听古琴演奏后深受触动，感叹孔子所言“余音绕梁，三月不知肉味”。跨越语言与文化，来自东方传统的音乐与审美，在卢塞恩的雅集中再次产生了深远共鸣。
Alongside the lecture and performances, the gathering also featured tea culture, conversations, and visual impressions from the event, reflecting the enduring vitality of Chinese traditional culture in a contemporary intercultural context.
除琴学讲座与古琴演奏外，活动现场亦通过茶席、交流与影像记录，展现了中华传统文化在当代跨文化语境中的生命力与感染力。
Though the tea fragrance slowly fades, the qin melodies still linger.Through music and culture, may the timeless spirit of “High Mountains and Flowing Water” continue to unite kindred hearts in Switzerland.
茶香未远，琴音犹在。
愿以琴会友，以文化人，在瑞士续写“高山流水遇知音”的美好传奇。
（The presentation slides from the qin studies lecture are also available for readers interested in Chinese literati culture, guqin aesthetics, and Eastern philosophy.
本次琴学讲座PPT亦同步开放分享，供对中国文人文化、古琴艺术与东方美学感兴趣的读者参考。）
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