From April 26 to 28, 2024, the China Cultural Center in Stockholm, the Network of International Culturalink Entities and the Swedish Kung Fu&Wushu Federation jointly held a Tai Chi-themed event called"Tai Chi Master Class Experience. "Chen Zhenglei, the 11th-generation inheritor of Chen-style Tai Chi from Chenjiagou, China, was invited to hold a three-day training experience in Sweden.
Enthusiasts from over 80 countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Moldova and more, flocked to the event, showcasing Tai Chi's global reach and appeal. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Cui Aimin, Chinese Ambassador to Sweden;Ms. Li Rui, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Sweden and Director of China Cultural Center in Stockholm;and Mr. Peder Finnsiö, President of the Swedish Kung Fu&Wushu Federation.
A"China's Stories"lecture on Tai Chi was held during the training course. With the theme"Taijiquan is the best gift that the Chinese nation has offered to the world, "Chen Zhenglei introduced the inheritance and development of Chen-style Tai Chi in China and the world over the past 300 years, taught the essentials of learning Tai Chi, and personally demonstrated the relevant moves.
During the next two days of training, Chen Zhenglei personally taught breathing techniques and proper movements of Tai Chi. Students listened, practiced and actively exchanged ideas with each other. They expressed that this training course provided a rare and valuable opportunity to improve their Tai Chi skills and deepen their understanding of the concept of harmonious coexistence and philosophical thinking in traditional Chinese culture.
Taijiquan, based on the philosophy of Tai Chi, is a martial art that combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese health preservation concepts with the art of attack and defense. It is considered a treasure of Chinese traditional martial arts. On December 17th, 2020, UNESCO included Tai Chi in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, promoting Tai Chi culture to people and sharing this ancient oriental sports practice. With the growing popularity of Tai Chi around the world, the last Saturday of every April has been designated as"World Tai Chi Day, ”which is spontaneously celebrated by Tai Chi enthusiasts globally, aiming to exchange skills and promote Chinese culture through performances, lectures and other activities.
