“Haha! Britain” Cambridge Salon: Time & Reflection
Designed by Bei Zhou
Designed by Tian Tian
“Time & Reflection” — two words that capture both the journey behind Haha! Britain and the voices it brings to light.
As we mark over 20 years of dedication by The Mothers’ Bridge of Love (MBL) and River Cam Breeze, this special Haha! Britain event in Cambridge invites us to pause and reflect on the lived experiences, identities, and cultural dialogues of Chinese communities in the UK.
Published as a bilingual anthology, Haha! Britain gathers 42 Chinese authors and 37 translators, using humour, storytelling, and cultural introspection to share life between worlds. It’s a collection that speaks with lightness and depth—of longing and laughter, of solitude and solidarity.
At this event, we bring together writers, scholars, community leaders, and changemakers to discuss how personal narratives become reflections of broader social and cultural shifts, and how time—both memory and history—shapes the stories we carry forward.
When: 14:00-17:00 17/5/2025
Where: Lucia Windsor Room, Newnham College, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DF
Event Agenda
Opening Welcome Speech:
Winnie Cao (曹锦玥)
One of the Key Organisers of Haha! Britain; Deputy Editor of River Cam Breeze
Host:
Dr. Xiang Yu Sheng
Chief Editor of River Cam Breeze; Environmental Scientist
Panel Discussion: Time, Identity & Cultural Reflection
Panellists:
· Julia Lovell
British sinologist, author, and translator; known for her influential works on Chinese history and literature
· Professor Roel Sterckx
Cambridge University Professor of Chinese History, Science & Civilization; anthropologist and leading sinologist
· Wei Sun
Chairman of the Cambridge Chinese Community Centre; technologist and community leader
· Qun Yang
Chairwoman of the UK Chinese Women’s Collective; entrepreneur and advocate for Chinese women’s voices
· Lin Yue
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) champion; senior executive in the financial sector
Why Attend?
· Explore Haha! Britain's unique take on identity, integration, and storytelling
· Engage in thoughtful dialogue about Chinese voices in contemporary Britain
· Connect with community leaders, creatives, and supporters of cross-cultural exchange
· Discover how time and personal reflection shape diasporic narratives
· Network and celebrate with others over shared experiences and vision
Reserve your place now and be part of this timely and thought-provoking gathering.
Together, let’s continue to bridge cultures and amplify voices—through stories, reflection, and time.