The grand finale of the “9th San Francisco International Cheongsam Cultural Month” – “Oriental Extravaganza – Traversing Time, Blooming with Chinese Charm” – was held on the second floor of the historic Herbst Theatre. The event featured a leadership fashion show with U.S. and Chinese dignitaries, a release show by the Suzhou original brand “Yunshui Yi,” the launching ceremony of the first stop of the “Cheongsam World Tour” in the United Kingdom, and individual shows by the overseas guest team “Gathering of Artists in Paintings.”
The event also included original cheongsam dances, adult/youth guzheng elegant music performances, stage impression dramas, and other rich programs, drawing a perfect conclusion to this cultural month. This extravaganza, with its unique Oriental charm and fashionable atmosphere, not only brought the audience an immersive and brilliant cultural feast but also seemed to transcend time and space, allowing people to immerse themselves in the fusion of traditional Chinese culture and modern fashion.
Many distinguished guests, including California State Controller Malia Cohen, the wife of the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco Zheng Xin, California State Senator Scott Wiener, Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo, South San Francisco Vice Mayor Mark Wong, Dublin Vice Mayor Sherry Hu, American Chao Shan Foundation President Lin Zhisi, and the global initiator of “The Global Chinese Cheongsam Impression Scroll” Liu Bing, were present at the event and accepted exclusive interviews with the Silicon Valley Times.
Chinese cheongsam and world impressions, in the window facing the world – San Francisco, use the unique language of national costumes to connect communication ties and build friendship bridges. Hosted by the American Cheongsam Association and the San Francisco International Cheongsam Cultural Month Foundation, the “9th San Francisco International Cheongsam Cultural Month” has become one of the iconic brand activities of the diverse culture in the San Francisco Bay Area. Every year, it not only provides a multi-faceted platform for the local mainstream to understand Chinese traditional culture but also carries out a series of rich themed activities locally.
In the opening session, Shen Zisu, the founder of the American Cheongsam Association, the initiator and general planner of the San Francisco Cheongsam Cultural Month, expressed her sincere gratitude to everyone for attending the grand finale of the 9th San Francisco International Cheongsam Cultural Month – “Oriental Extravaganza.” The arrival of the 9th edition made her feel overwhelmed with emotions.
Nine is a number with symbolic significance; in Chinese culture, it symbolizes longevity, eternity, smoothness, and prosperity. Just like the Cheongsam Cultural Month, which has accompanied everyone for nine years, witnessed the inheritance and development of cheongsam culture, and the deepening and expansion of Sino-US cultural exchanges.
Cheongsam, as a representative of traditional Chinese clothing, carries five thousand years of civilized history and is a treasure of the Chinese nation. Through such an international cultural exchange platform, we hope to let more people understand and love cheongsam culture, and allow people from all over the world to feel the unique charm of Oriental beauty.
Here, we would like to especially thank all the guests and audience friends present. It is precisely because of everyone’s support and participation that our event can be so successful. We hope everyone can fully enjoy the beautiful cheongsam show in tonight’s feast and feel the fusion and collision of Chinese and American cultures.
Zheng Xin, the wife of the Consul General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, on behalf of the Consulate General, warmly congratulated the successful holding of the event and fully affirmed the positive contributions made by previous events to promote cheongsam and other traditional Chinese culture.
Zheng Xin said in her speech that cheongsam, with its unique design and connotation, allows people from all over the world to appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture. She looks forward to everyone using cheongsam as a medium and culture as a bridge to jointly promote people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, and let more people understand a true, three-dimensional, and comprehensive China.
The event also featured a leadership fashion show, where dignitaries from both the U.S. and China graced the runway in elegant cheongsams. California State Controller Malia Cohen, who participated in the fashion show, said in an interview that she was honored to be a part of this event and showcase the beauty of cheongsam. She believes that such cultural exchanges are essential for fostering understanding and friendship between the two countries.
Another highlight of the event was the release show by the Suzhou original brand “Yunshui Yi.” The brand’s designer, Wang Yi, said that she hopes to bring the essence of traditional Chinese clothing to the international stage through her designs. The launch of the “Cheongsam World Tour” in the United Kingdom also marked a significant milestone in the globalization of cheongsam culture.
The individual shows by the overseas guest team “Gathering of Artists in Paintings” added an artistic flair to the event. The team, composed of artists from various fields such as painting, music, and dance, presented a stunning visual feast that combined traditional Chinese elements with modern aesthetics.
As the event came to a close, the audience was left with a deep appreciation for the beauty and richness of Chinese culture. The “9th San Francisco International Cheongsam Cultural Month” not only showcased the elegance of cheongsam but also highlighted the importance of cultural exchanges in building bridges between nations. With its success, the event has set the stage for many more years of cultural collaboration and friendship between China and the United States.