Event Details

WHAT: Michael Aldrich introduces his new book "Old Lhasa: A Biography", moderated by Nicholas Smith. This RASBJ in-person talk features copious illustrations.



WHEN: Wednesday October 18, 7.00-8.00 PM, Beijing time; doors open at 6.30 PM. Please be punctual; latecomers will be denied entry.



WHERE: The Bell inside the British Embassy, 11 Guanghua Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing, China, 100600 (address in Chinese: 北京市朝阳区建国门外光华路11号 英国大使馆 ）NOTE: Attendees, please bring the original passport or ID document you used to register, in order to be allowed entry; no photographs or copies, please. Attendees will be asked to surrender cellphones, laptops and other electronics upon check-in.



MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: "Old Lhasa: A Biography" grew out of Michael Aldrich's experiences living in the sovereign state of Mongolia, and its historical, cultural and religious connections with Tibet. It was written after multiple trips to Lhasa. Amazon states that "Aldrich brings to life time-honored legends and charming anecdotes about kings and lamas, ministers and tricksters, which reveal the hidden significance of easily-overlooked side alleys, shrines, and stone houses clustered around the city's most important pilgrims' route, the Barkhor. 'Old Lhasa' is not only an enjoyable traveler's companion for armchair readers, but also a vital resource for the intrepid visitor hoping to come away from the city with a deeper understanding."



MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael Aldrich has lived in East and Central Asia for thirty-four years. After a career as a corporate lawyer, he was invited to establish the first international standard law practice in Mongolia in 2009. He retired in 2015 and now resides in northeast Taiwan. He has published three previous books on Asian topics -- the first a detailed guide on the historic and cultural sites in Beijing, the second a collection of essays on Chinese Muslim culture in Beijing, and the third the most detailed work in English on the history and culture of Ulaanbaatar.



HOW MUCH: Admission is RMB 100 for members of RASBJ and partner RAS branches, and for staff of The British Embassy; RMB 200 for non-members. The cost includes a token for one free drink; attendees can purchase additional refreshment directly from the Bell.



HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I Will Attend" and follow the instructions. You must enter your full name and passport/ID number, as the Embassy will check IDs carefully, and you must bring that passport/ID with you to the event. For payment, Alipay may be easier than WeChat. After successful registration you will receive a confirmation email . If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder. Members and Embassy staff have priority until October 11. Please register no later than the deadline of noon, Monday October 16. Registrants will receive detailed updates on Embassy procedures nearer the event.



REFUND POLICY: Attendees will be refunded in full if RASBJ cancels this event. Registrations for those who have not paid by Monday October 16 at noon will be cancelled. After noon on Monday October 16, registrants who cannot attend for personal reasons will not be refunded

Speakers

  • Michael Aldrich (Speaker)

    Michael Aldrich

    Speaker

    Michael Aldrich has lived in East and Central Asia for thirty-four years. He is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, where he majored in Asian studies as an inter-disciplinary degree. He continued his studies in East Asian history and religion and became a research assistant at State University Stony Brook where he also completed a master's degree in East Asian-American diplomatic history. After a year at Chonnam National University in South Korea, he studied law at Columbia University School of Law where he received his JD in 1990. He later qualified to practice law in California, the District of Columbia, and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
    Aldrich specialised in PRC foreign investment law and practice, working as a partne at three international law firms in Greater China. He was invited to establish the first international standard law practice in Mongolia in 2009. He retired in 2015 and now resides in Shuang Hsi village in northeast Taiwan.
    He has published three previous books on Asian topics -- the first a detailed guide on historic and cultural sites in Beijing, the second a collection of essays on Chinese Muslim culture in Beijing, and the third the most detailed work in English on the history and culture of Ulaanbaatar. He also has written on an assortment of Chinese legal topics and on traditional Asian culture. He is currently researching a book about the Manchus.

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  • Nicholas Smith (moderator)

    Nicholas Smith

    moderator

    Nicholas Smith has travelled to Lhasa with Michael Aldrich. He came to China 33 years ago, holds a degree in music from Cambridge University, and since 2001 has directed his own orchestra, Peking Sinfonietta. Smith founded and directed the volunteer International Festival Chorus; its performances over 15 years ranged from the premier PRC performances of Bach’s "St John Passion" to Elgar’s "The Music Makers" to China's first fully-staged Broadway musical, "Lady in the Dark", featuring stars from London’s West End.
    In 2011 Queen Elizabeth II bestowed on Smith an Order of the British Empire in recognition of his services to music in China and to Sino-British relations.

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Venue

The Bell at the British Embassy

No. 11, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京市朝阳区建国门外光华路11号 英国大使馆
BEIJING, Bei Jing Shi, China

If you have any questions please contact RASBJ Communications

Contact Organizer

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