Who are we?
The Edinburgh Chinese Culture Association (ECCA) was established in 2008 as a voluntary organization. It was initially aiming for helping Chinese parents and their children in Alba Cathay Chinese School to keep and understand more Chinese traditions and costumes.
Over the years, the ECCA achieved much more than it aimed for. In order to meet the growing need of learning and understanding Chinese culture from not just our own community but also people from main stream community and other minorities races, we have organized various events, shows, talks, workshops to public society and schools (including council’s and independent schools) even nurseries. Our work currently covers Edinburgh and Lothian area. We hope our enthusiasm and effort can encourage more people to understand, appreciate and enjoy the rich Chinese history and culture.
The Edinburgh Chinese Culture Association (ECCA) is a non-profit voluntary organization. It is a member of Scottish Council for Voluntary Organization (SCVO).
Objectives
- To help local people to understand more Chinese culture, custom and traditions
- To build friendship within Chinese communities and with other races in Scotland
- To facilitate activity links between Scotland and China
What do we do?
Over the years, ECCA has gained experience of providing Chinese Cultural presentations, workshops and performances around Edinburgh and Lothian area.
We have an ongoing project, “Support to schools”, which includes Chinese culture presentation and workshops for primary and secondary schools during Chinese New Year celebration period and Moon Festival period. This project has been approved being popular and successful.
Other works include:
Language services:
- Chinese language teaching to children
- Chinese interpret and translation
- Seminars/talks about doing business in China
- Fast track language course for travel and business use.
Talk/Seminar/Workshop:
- Cultural talks, seminars and workshops to business and public.
- Help and design exhibition stands with Chinese cultural theme.
Performance:
- Taiji
- Chinese Kong Fu
- Folk dance
Trip to China:
- Summer Camp in China
- Themed Tour
Past projects examples
Exhibitions in Royal Garden Show
Supported by Chinese Consulate in Edinburgh, ECCA had successfully organized classic Chinese Garden display in 2008, 2009 and 2013. The theme of 2013 Garden Show was traditional Su Zhou Gardens.
Chinese New Year Gala Show in Churchill Theatre
It was one of the highlight shows supported by Chinese community not just other Chinese organizations including three Chinese schools but also local main stream organizations and schools. More than 350 people enjoyed the cultural fair and theatre performances of Chinese music, dance and martial arts.
Finding roots summer camp
ECCA successfully organized the “Finding roots Summer Camp” in July 2010. A group of British born Chinese kids had a wonderful experience in this summer camp to visit Beijing and Xian. It was wonderful 9 days trip. Students visited lots of historical places and also got chance to exchange views with Xian’s local youth. This project will be continuing in the future.
East Lothian and West Lothian Multi-culture Days
Invited by East Lothian Council and West Lothian Council, ECCA participated the annual day events with traditional dance performance and cultural display stalls.
Educational project in Edinburgh schools
Around 2010 Chinese New Year, our “support to school” project, we went to 10 primary and secondary schools to give demonstrates, talks and performances about Chinese New Year traditions.
Edinburgh Festival Parade and Fringe performance
ECCA organized TaiJi and Dance teams to join the Chinese Community Group in the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade and Fringe.