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By Lynne Spina
FCC held its 5th annual Chinese Culture Day on Sept. 21st. at New City School. Filled to capacity, sixty adoptive families participated in the festivities of the day.
Children, grouped by age, enjoyed rotating through the four cultural activity sessions: They were captivated by Rosemary Wilson, a story teller who read Chinese fables and played her guitar. During the craft session, children exercised their creativity by making a lucky bamboo arrangement which included decorating the pot. In the song and dance session, Rangxian Wang kept the children moving to the rhythm of Chinese music. Children expended even more energy in the martial arts class conducted by Santos Giuffriba.
FCC strives to plan a Chinese Culture Day that is designed not only to enhance the cultural understanding for our adopted Chinese children, but also for their parents. This year the first adult session was a presentation about the building of the Great Wall of China, by Tzy C. Peng, Ph.D. Adults learned about the feudal systems of ancient dynasties and the unification that took place under the Qin Dynasty and its role in the beginning construction of the Great Wall. Hearing about developing construction techniques throughout the years was very interesting.
 
In the second adult session, audience participants listened to the personal stories of three individuals who worked in China in the area of adoption. Alicia Schnell, now an employee of Children's Hope International worked in the Social Welfare Institution in Nanchang, China. Christine Xue and Mark Ma, currently students at George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, both worked in all over China for over five years facilitating adoptions.
The closing ceremony consisted of FCC children. Students of "RCR School of Chinese Language and Culture" presented their language and singing skills. Next, several students performed a graceful fan dance and then a very uplifting drum dance.
 
The gathering continued at Guo Bin for a scrumptious lunch where no one was in a hurry to leave.
A big thank you is extended to the Chinese Culture Day 2002 sponsors: An Incredible Journey,
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Central Trading Company, Children's Hope International, China Impression, Ltd., Chinese American Forum, Christian Salvation Service, Elda Enterprise LLC, Great China Walls, Hope Heller Ph.D. Consulting and Adoption Services, Dr. Aidan Ib M.D. Mercy Medical Group, Dr. Andrew Kim D.M.D. Pediatric Dentistry, M.S., Lee's Restaurant, Jimmy Liu-Art Classes, Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri, MMS Associates P.C Accountants, New City School, Organization of Chinese Americans, Panda Express Chinese Food, State Farm Insurance, United Asian Market, Universal Toys and Gifts, and Wei Hong Bakery & B.B.Q.
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