Arts & Culture

Part of China Now, the biggest UK festival of Chinese culture, Silk Screens was a series of outdoor screenings and live events in cities across the UK. Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Manchester hosted free events celebrating the lives of British Chinese in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics.

BBC Video Nation worked with dozens of British Chinese communities to help them record and reflect on how they relate their lives in contemporary Britain with their Chinese cultural roots. The films in Glasgow included the art of fortune cookie making, preparations for Chinese new year, a Chinese student who shared her impression of Scottish family life and a young woman whose Chinese dancing took her to the Scottish Parliament.

Artists taking part on the day included Fong Lui, Harmony Music Ensemble and The Mauchline and District Caledonia Pipe Band.

Lanterns

The Chinese element of water, represented by a giant turtle, was the theme of the Festival and involved performances from professional and community Chinese artists from Ricefields and the Glasgow Chinese Opera group.

There were activities and workshops where you could learn about the legends of sea creatures, who are highly respected in Chinese culture, as they symbolise longevity and an easy livelihood.

Go to the Video Nation website to see the films made and shown in Scotland and see photos from the day in the image gallery.