Health providers and members of the public interested in traditional Chinese medicine are encouraged to attend the third annual Chinese Culture Festival in Tucson this month.
Officials with the University of Arizona’s Confucius Institute say this year’s festival, which will take place Saturday to Sept. 28 on the UA campus and other venues across Tucson, has a theme of health promotion and wellness.
Festival organizers are bringing two prominent professors from China to talk about both the theory and practice of traditional Chinese medicine, which has a focus on prevention. In China, many of the hospitals blend Western medicine and traditional medicine in one facility.
“The festival is about helping people understand the Chinese language and culture and medicine is one aspect of Chinese culture,” said Zhao Chen, co-director of the UA’s Confucius Institute and a professor of public health at the UA’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.
“Tucson has the tradition of alternative medicine, and it is of broad interest here. So the Confucius Institute is trying to meet the local community’s interest.”
All events are open to the public and most are free. In addition to an annual language competition the first day of the festival will include booths and tables of information and resources about Chinese medicine. Three events focusing on Chinese health are also scheduled, including a workshop geared toward local health providers.
More than 3,000 Arizonans participated in last year’s festival.
Health components in the festival include:
- A language and health day is scheduled Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road. Admission is free. Several tables with health tests and information about acupuncture, tai chi and other Chinese wellness practices will be part of the event.
Other activities will include musical performances, a talent show, displays of award-winning calligraphy and photography, cultural exhibitions and various hands-on games.
- A talk, “Acupuncture in China,” is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, in room A118 of the Drachman Building at the UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N. Martin Ave. Admission is free.
Professor Jiping Zhao from the Beijing Chinese Medicine University will discuss how acupuncture is used in Chinese hospitals to help patients achieve and maintain optimal health.
- An event called “The Summer Charm of Lotus — Chinese Food Therapy,” is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, at Gee’s Garden Bistro, 1145 N. Alvernon Way. Admission is free for the first 50 participants and $25 per person thereafter. Dinner is included. To register, email
- or call 626-5124.
Professor Dawen Wei from the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine will talk about the concepts and principles of Chinese food therapy using a special example — the lotus plant. A dinner, including lotus dishes, will be served.
- A workshop, “Chinese Medicine — From Theory to Practice,” is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, in room A118 of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N. Martin Ave. Admission is free, but participants are asked to register for lunch by emailing confucius@email.arizona.edu or by calling 626-5124.
The workshop will focus on how Chinese medical theory guides the clinical practice of Chinese medicine. The scheduled speakers are Jiping Zhao of Beijing Chinese Medicine University and professor Dawei Wei of the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The workshop is open to the general public and health-care providers are especially encouraged to attend to participate in a discussion with Zhao and Wei, who are expected to talk about specific clinical cases.
