oston Children’s Museum strives to be a meeting ground where families are comfortable exploring and sharing cultures. In a networked, fl uid, multicultural world, Museum programs and exhibits nurture curiosity about similarities and differences and foster a sense of world citizenry, all dedicated to helping to young visitors become Global Kids.

In FY 2009, the Museum’s newest traveling exhibit, Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China, presented visitors with myriad opportunities to expand knowledge, understanding and appreciation of contemporary China through life in Boston’s Chinese sister city, Hangzhou. The exhibit featured four youth from Hangzhou at home, at school, in the theater, and in the countryside. Visitors discovered that Chinese life today mixes ancient traditions with modern lifestyles and that life in China is both similar to and different from life in North America.

In celebration of the Beijing Olympics, Summer 2008 was China Summer at Boston Children’s Museum. The Museum welcomed local Chinese storytellers, martial arts experts, Chinese paper artists, and dancers. The Museum hosted special guests from China. Guo Qianyun, a Chinese opera student, and her parents, also opera stars, performed and demonstrated traditional opera techniques. Qianyun was one of the children featured in the Children of Hangzhou exhibit. Mr. Wang Anlin, a Shaolin martial arts master, conducted classes and performed at the Museum. The Gallery displayed “Hello China” - letters and self-portraits exchanged between students from Derby Academy in Hingham and Qiushui Elementary School in Hangzhou. Every day of the summer was replete with Chinese arts, sciences, and sports. Boston Children’s Museum was honored to host the Mayor of Hangzhou who was eager to celebrate China Summer.

FY 2009 was filled with vibrant cultural festivals. The highlight of Oshogatsu, Japanese New Year, was the traditional mochi (sweet rice) pounding, Kamishibai storytelling, and taiko drumming. The annual Chinese New Year festival featured calligraphy workshops, yangqin (Chinese dulcimer) performances, and folk dances. Many Native Americans performed dances, drummed, and displayed their arts at the spring Pow Wow.

Boston Children’s Museum celebrated Indian Republic Day with puppet shows, dances, and art workshops. Visitors also participated in festivities honoring Three Kings’ Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Boston Children’s Museum is the place where families with young children come to have fun while also learning the skills they need to be Global Kids living in a global society.

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