Floating Chronicles : A Century Through Lens

invites you to uncover the hundred-year journey of Chinese immigrants in the UK. From 19th-century labourers who crossed oceans, to today’s vibrant Chinese communities thriving across diverse fields, this exhibition traces a rich and evolving story.

Witness the transformation from blurred figures in vintage black-and-white films to present-day East Asian voices sharing their personal narratives on screen. Together, these stories reveal the many layered experiences of Chinese immigration in Britain—exploring themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage.

Rooted in history and brought to life through powerful imagery, we invite you to experience the story of a city that continues to bridge cultures, generations, and lives.

About Haha Britain

Haha! Britain is a collection jointly curated and edited by the British cultural charity The Mothers’ Bridge of Love (MBL) and River Cam Breeze magazine. This initiative aims to inspire the Chinese community in the UK to engage with and share diverse cultural experiences, enrich the overseas Chinese literary scene, and connect with fellow compatriots in China by reflecting on our lives abroad.

The 42 authors featured in this book employ humor and wit, using small anecdotes to illustrate broader themes. Through their unique perspectives, they offer an entertaining yet insightful take on their personal experiences and reflections on life in the UK.

Host : Dr.Biao Zeng

Experimental Psycholinguist and Cognitive Neuroscience Researcher. The Founder of the Rui’an High School UK Alumni Association.

Special Panelists

1. Dr Helena Lopes

Cardiff University lecturer in modern Chinese and global history, researching social history of the Second World War and the early post-war period in China (especially South China), imperialism(s), anti-imperialism, and decolonisation. She will draw on reliable historical sources and bring a unique perspective to retrace the journey and survival strategies of Chinese immigrants in Britain.

2. Mr. James Calderwood

BAFTA, RTS and Grierson award-winning film editor with over 20 years’ experience of making documentary, drama and current affairs films for all the major broadcasters. Mr Calderwood is at present developing a series on China’s Century of Humiliation. Through the lens of visual storytelling, he will explore how the camera can connect Eastern and Western worlds, while examining the interplay between historical context and the present day.

Bristol, a vibrant city shaped by a century of history, where light and shadow merge like brushstrokes on a canvas. Positioned between East and West, its story continues to unfold. Welcome to 'Haha Britain, Bristol' — where the echoes of the past meet the power of visual storytelling.

一座城，百年的漂泊与扎根。

一段史，光影间的沉默与回响。

《戏说英国》布里斯托站，邀你走进华裔移民的百年叙事。

从19世纪远渡重洋的劳工，到今日活跃在各领域的华人社群；从黑白胶片中的模糊身影，到镜头前自主讲述的东方面孔 ——我们将一同揭开英国华裔移民史的层层面纱，探讨身份，记忆与文化传播的复杂脉络。以历史为轴，影像为镜，讲述跨越文化与时代的浮城故事。

关于《戏说英国》

《戏说英国》的灵感源自一个共同的感受：我们华人在英国的经历 — 那些文化碰撞，挣扎与胜利，是如此丰富多彩且充满意趣，值得被记录下来。我们的社群中蕴藏着太多独特的故事，映照出移民英国之初的喜悦与挑战。

因此，在母爱桥成立二十周年之际，我们携手《剑河风》杂志，共同发起这项公益项目。四十位在英华人作者志愿参与其中，他们中有作家，学者，艺术家，学生，也有来自各行各业的专业人士。大家齐聚一堂，真诚书写下自己在英国生活的亲身经历。

活动主持人：

曾飚

实验语言心理学家，认知神经学研究者，创办瑞安中学英国校友会。

特邀嘉宾

1. Dr Helena F. S. Lopes

卡迪夫大学现代亚洲历史学者| 牛津大学历史学博士| 《二战时期的澳门：中立与合作》作者。她将以扎实的史料与独特视角，还原华裔移民在英伦的历史轨迹与生存策略。

2. Mr. James Calderwood

BAFTA, 英国皇家电视协会，格里尔逊奖获奖纪录片剪辑师 | 20年纪录片与戏剧片制作经验。他正在筹备纪录片《中国的百年屈辱》（China’s Century of Humiliation），将从影像叙事的角度，分享如何用镜头连接中西方语境，探讨历史与当下的对话。

百年浮城，光影如绘；东西之间，故事未完。欢迎来到布里斯托现场，聆听历史的声音，看见影像的力量。

Also check out other Entertainment events in Bristol, Arts events in Bristol, Literary Art events in Bristol.