Celebrate Chinese folklore and crafts at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam

HAPPENING 30–31 AUG 2025 | A traditional Chinese celebration focused on love, craftsmanship and cultural heritage will be held at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam at the end of August. Visitors of all ages are invited to take part in creative workshops and guided tours inspired by the Qixi Festival.

_{Image: Paper magpie with love letter – Qixi 2024. Photo credit: Hoi-Shan Mak}

Qixi festival brings Chinese folklore and craftsmanship to Rotterdam

The Wereldmuseum Rotterdam will mark the closing weekend of its Made in China exhibition with a series of workshops and activities inspired by Qixi (七夕节), often referred to as the Chinese Valentine's Day. The event takes place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August 2025 and includes free workshops, cultural sessions and guided tours, all included with a museum ticket.

Qixi, rooted in a centuries-old love story between the weaver girl Zhinü and the cowherd Niulang, is traditionally a moment when women displayed their craftsmanship. In Rotterdam, the event becomes an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience elements of Chinese folk art, from weaving and flower-making to tea ceremonies and decorative knots.

Hands-on activities throughout the museum

Children and families can join the “Superstraat” zone for an all-day programme from 11:00 to 16:30, where they will make and launch ‘magpie wishes’—paper crafts symbolising the birds said to form a celestial bridge for the legendary lovers. Language: Not specified (likely Dutch & non-verbal, suitable for all ages)

In the museum’s atelier, artist Hoi-Shan Mak will lead a weaving workshop inspired by the heavenly princess Zhinü. Participants will use strips of paper to create symbolic paper magpies in homage to traditional Xiqi weaving. Language: likely Dutch.

Paper flowers and symbolic knots in the salon

Adults can participate in a Ronghua flower-making session on both days. Ronghua (绒花) refers to the art of crafting velvety silk flowers, once used as hair and hat decorations in imperial China. Language: English and Chinese. Workshops will be held on the first floor (Salon) at 11:30 and 14:00 on Saturday, and at 14:00 on Sunday.

Also in the Salon, Lili Zhou will guide visitors aged 10 and above through the process of creating Chinese “lucky knots,” decorative knots symbolising harmony and good fortune. Language: English. Start times will be announced later.

Chinese tea ceremony and cultural exchange

The museum café will host a traditional Gong Fu Cha (功夫茶) tea ceremony on Saturday. Led by Fenmei Hu, the session invites adults to experience the mindful and social elements of traditional Chinese tea culture. Language: English. Sessions take place at 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30.

Discover Chinese paper-cutting traditions

In another workshop held in the Salon from 11:30 to 16:30, attendees can explore the intricate craft of Chinese paper-cutting. This ancient art form involves crafting red paper decorations symbolising happiness and prosperity. Language: English.

Free tours and interactive art-making

The Made in China exhibition will be complemented by English-language guided tours from 13:00 to 14:00 on both days. Museum educators will share insights into traditional Chinese crafts such as lacquer work, embroidery and ink painting, as well as contemporary interpretations by artists such as Cao Fei, Ma Ke and Yang Yongliang. From 14:15 to 16:00, visitors can join a hands-on session focused on the art of copying. Language: English.

Guided tours in Chinese

Free Chinese-language tours of the Made in China exhibition will be offered on both days at 12:00 and 14:00. These tours are limited to 10 participants and require registration via email or social media. Language: Chinese.

How to get there

The Wereldmuseum is located at Willemskade 25 in central Rotterdam, a short walk from the Erasmus Bridge and easily accessible by metro, tram and water taxi. The area is known for its cultural institutions and views of the river.