The origin of tea is often traced back to Xinyang, Henan, China. The art and craft of tea have been a central part of Xinyang’s cultural heritage.
May 21 marks the fifth "International Tea Day" designated by the United Nations, on which the United Nations Headquarters hosted an exhibition themed "Tea for Harmony·Chajing Yaji Cultural Salon". Between May 21st-25th, we are excited to have tea masters and inheritors of intangible culture share the ritual of tea, and invite audience members to sample tea selections hailed as the “King of Teas”.
Integrated into this tea-themed sensory experience, are music and cultural performances by inheritors of intangible culture. Master artisans from China will perform Guzheng and lead experiential stations including rice dough sculpturing, paper-cutting, tea-meditation, VR experience and so much more. All programs will be live-interpreted by a cultural specialist.
Events at the China Institute and American Dream are free and open to the public.
May 21st: United Nations Headquarters, NYC | “茶和天下雅集” 联合国总部，
May 23rd: Tea For Harmony, Xinyang Maojian Tea Cultural Fair | “茶和天下庆祝活动” 华美协进社，
May 25th: The Avenue at American Dream | 茶文化及河南文旅推介系列活动, 美国梦奢侈品大道.
活动以《茶经》的三卷十篇中的内容为主线，通过视觉、听觉、触觉、味觉及嗅觉的全方位立体体验形式，打造十个茶篇章，展示信阳茶文化与非遗文化。融入以中国茶为主题的生活方式，营造喜闻乐见的社交新场景。通过品茶社交和文化分享搭建起中美友好交流的桥梁，让更多的人喜爱信阳茶，了解中国传统文化。
Cultural Context and Background:
In December 2019, the 74th United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing May 21 as International Tea Day, a cultural milestone that honors and celebrates the intrinsic link between tea and human development. On November 29, 2022, "Traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China" became inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The time-honored Chinese tea culture has been passed down for thousands of years and is deeply rooted in the people. It is one of the most recognized part of Chinese culture. Using tea as a medium, the aim of the tour is to strengthen cultural exchange activities, promote distinct regional culture and tourism, and showcase the lifestyle and aesthetic concepts of Xinyang Tea to the world.