Event Details

WHAT: The Year of the Horse and the Chinese zodiac, an in-person talk by Matthew Hu at the Courtyard Institute



WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 from 7-8 PM Beijing Time. Doors open 6.30 PM



WHERE: The Courtyard Institute or "Sihe College", 28 Zhong Lao Hutong, ๅŒ—ไบฌๅธ‚ไธœๅŸŽๅŒบไธญ่€่ƒกๅŒ28ๅท

ๅ››ๅˆไนฆ้™ข. On Didi, input Jingshan Hotel ๆ™ฏๅฑฑ้…’ๅบ—at 31 Shatan North Street as your destination and walk west 10 minutes down Zhong Lao Hutong to #28 on your left.

๏ปฟ


MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: Energy over inertia? Charisma over caution? We're hearing a lot about what to expect from the new lunar year, beginning Feb. 17. Kick off your preparations for the Year of the Fire Horse by joining Matthew Hu Xinyu's in-person talk on the new lunar year and the Chinese zodiac. He'll explain the horse's role among the twelve birth signs of the traditional Chinese calendar. Traditionally, the year of the Fire Horse is believed to portend a period of rapid change; the last such year was 1966, which triggered tumult in Chinese society. Matthew can address your questions about how popular belief in Chinese traditions may continue to impact grassroots perceptions โ€“ explaining the baby boom of the Year of the Dragon, for example. He will also explain why a Year of the Fire Horse comes around only once every 60 years.



MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Matthew Hu was born and raised in Beijing. His work in the past 18 years is largely related to the preservation of built heritage as well as intangible heritage in China. He is currently a trustee of Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP), and Co-Founder of The Courtyard Institute.



HOW MUCH: RMB 120 for RASBJ members, RMB 220 for non-members. The fee includes tea and snacks. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up here​ rasbj.glueup.cn/org/rasbeijing/memberships/



HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I Will Attend" and follow the instructions. For payment. Alipay may be easier than WeChat; payments can also be made with international credit cards. After successful registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.



REFUND POLICY: If the organiser decides to cancel or postpone the event, registrants will be refunded in full.

Speakers

  • Matthew Hu (Speaker)

    Matthew Hu

    Speaker

    Website

    Matthew Hu was born and raised in Beijing. His work in the past 17 years is largely related to the preservation of built and intangible heritage in China. He is currently serving as a trustee of Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP), and Co-Founder of The Courtyard Institute.
    As trustee of CHP, Matthew is responsible for the convening of the board, leading the key decision-making process, as well as managing some of CHP’s projects. Matthew and two other friends co-founded the Courtyard Institute, an educational institution focused on the promotion of traditional Chinese culture. From 2014 to 2021, Matthew was the China Representative of The Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. From October 2009 to November 2014, Matthew worked for the Prince’s Charities Foundation (China) as its China Representative, working on the Shijia Hutong Museum and "The Emperor’s Secret Garden", a documentary film featuring the joint conservation effort of the Palace Museum and the World Monument Fund. Prior to acting as managing director of CHP from 2006 to 2009, Matthew worked in the tourism industry with WildChina Company Limited, handling inbound China travel programs for non-profit and educational institutions, including National Geographic Magazine, World Monument Fund, International School of Beijing and Kellogg Business School.
    Graduated from Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute in 1997 with a BA in English Literature, Matthew has over the years developed a strong interest in Chinese history and religion.

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Venue

Courtyard Institute

Sihe College
28 Zhong Lao Hu Tong
ๅŒ—ไบฌๅธ‚ไธœๅŸŽๅŒบไธญ่€่ƒกๅŒ28ๅท
ๅ››ๅˆไนฆ้™ข
Bei Jing Shi, China

If you have any questions please contact RASBJ Communications

Contact Organizer

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