From May 20 to 21, the “Tea for Harmony · Yaji Salon” series of cultural events were held in Copenhagen, Denmark, jointly organized by the China Cultural Centre in Copenhagen and undertaken by the Chang’an Purple Clay Specialized Cooperative. Centered on Chinese tea culture and Yixing purple clay art, the program presented a range of activities including tea gatherings, intangible cultural heritage showcases, and ceramic cultural exchanges, offering Danish audiences an immersive experience of the distinctive charm of China’s fine traditional culture and further promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Denmark.
On the afternoon of May 20, the “Tea for Harmony · Yaji Cultural Salon” Copenhagen tea gathering was held in the multifunctional hall of the cultural center. Centered on Chinese tea culture and Yixing purple clay art, the event offered an immersive experience under the guiding theme of “unity of tea and vessel,” leading local tea enthusiasts to a deeper understanding of the aesthetic values of traditional Chinese life.
At the venue, traditional Chinese music played softly, complementing the elegant tea setting. Guided by tea masters, guests sampled a range of Chinese teas, including green tea (with Longjing as a representative variety), rock tea (yancha), black tea, and Pu’er tea, paired with a selection of refreshments for successive tastings. Through the layered aromas and diverse flavor profiles, participants experienced the richness and diversity of Chinese tea culture.
During the event, a selection of Yixing purple clay works in various forms was on display. Guests closely observed and handled the pieces, experiencing the warm, refined texture of purple clay ware and its distinctive functional aesthetics. The keynote speaker, drawing on the historical development of Yixing’s Yangxian tea culture, referenced a well-known Tang Dynasty poem that reflects the close historical connection between tea and purple clay ware, highlighting the long-standing tradition of “coexistence between tea and pottery” and enabling Danish audiences to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural values and historical depth embodied in Chinese tea culture.
A special hands-on purple clay workshop was also arranged. Local primary school students, accompanied by their parents, took part in the making of Yixing teapots, engaging directly with traditional Chinese craftsmanship through shaping and creative exploration. The children showed strong interest and active participation, contributing to a lively and engaging atmosphere. Many parents noted that such interactive experiences helped children gain a more direct and tangible understanding of the appeal of traditional Chinese culture.
On May 21, the delegation of Yixing purple clay artists from China visited the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory in Denmark, launching a dialogue of ceramic civilizations spanning the East and the West.
The two sides had in-depth exchanges on Royal Copenhagen’s over 300-year history of porcelain making and its exquisite hand-painting craftsmanship, and also systematically shared the thousand-year-old heritage of Yixing purple clay, including clay refining, hand-forming and pottery carving techniques.
At the end of the exchange, both sides exchanged commemorative gifts. The purple clay brush pot presented by the Chinese side was particularly ingenious: the pottery carving artist used a knife as a brush to engrave the Chinese national flower peony and the Danish national flower marguerite daisy on the vessel. The two flowers have intertwined roots and interwoven branches, symbolizing the deep-rooted and everlasting friendship between China and Denmark.
“Tea for Harmony” is more than a tea culture event; it is a practice of cross-cultural exchange beyond language and geography. As key expressions of China’s fine traditional culture, Chinese tea culture and Yixing purple clay art reflect a philosophy of harmony, a reverence for nature, and an aesthetic of everyday life, which were clearly conveyed throughout the program and further enhanced Danish audiences’ understanding of Chinese culture.
