From bad students to Genoese record holder – Israeli master reveals secret of ’super memory’

For most of us, photographic memory almost seems like a superpower. But Eran Katz will tell you he is a man of mortal flesh born with no superhuman abilities. He just trained himself to remember things extraordinarily well.

Coming up from the underground – Young New Yorker observes Chinese subculture

China’s “street culture” has changed quite a lot since 15 years ago, when hip-hop was first being introduced to the country. Red hair and piercings are no longer automatically associated with hooliganism.

Norwegian patient receives warm welcome from Beijing

Four years ago, Norwegian singer-songwriter Tommy Sulen was dying of cancer. He came to Beijing with the hope that his doctors back home were wrong.

Between introspection and discovery

Omar Galliani, a 57-year-old Italian, is a sketch artist. He draws. As art constantly tries to reinvent itself, Galliani has stuck with the basic, though the medium belies the complexity of his works.

Easily learning Chinese through its origins

Richard Sears is not a linguist, but his website is a linguist’s treasure trove: he traces different forms of Chinese characters and the evolution of their meanings.

A new perspective on traditional Chinese therapies

Kristiina Koskentola, 44, a Finnish novel artist, believes acupuncture and cupping therapies are not uniquely Chinese medical practices, for their use was also common in early Europe and the Middle East.

American all-around artist rocks R Lounge

Bertie Higgins, an American singer-songwriter, has been rocking Renaissance Hotel’s R Lounge every Wednesday through Sunday the past three weeks.

Francophonie promotes influence of French-speaking cultures

The 16th Francophonie festival, an annual month-long celebration that brings the best of French culture to China, kicked off yesterday with a French film festival.

Action should be taken to protect contemporary architecture

Denis Lavelle, 61, general heritage curator in charge of the direction of heritage at the French Ministry of Culture, was in town for five days last week giving on-site Chinese cultural heritage appreciation courses and lectures on China-France art exchanges throughout history.

NGO giving the gift of smiles

Around the world, approximately one in every 600 children each year is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. Surgery can easily correct the problem, but at about 1,500 yuan, it’s not affordable for many people in developing countries.