C'est la Chine - Netherlands | Master Fei Yuliang: A life dedicated to passing down Chinese culture in Europe
Regarding Fei Yuliang — also known as "Master Fei" — his name is highly respected in the Chinese community in the Netherlands. Some know him as the martial arts teacher who has trained nearly 30,000 foreign students, while others admire his passion for collecting Chinese antiques, with his home resembling a museum.
For Fei, teaching martial arts and collecting antiques represent a way of safeguarding and passing down Chinese culture. Having lived in the Netherlands for more than 30 years, Fei has remained steadfast in his mission to plant the seeds of Chinese culture in a foreign land.
Fei Yuliang was born into a martial arts family in Jiangsu, China. From age six, he trained under his father and explored other Chinese arts, such as dance and Peking opera. In the 1980s, Fei and his father led a martial arts troupe that frequently performed across regions like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Anhui, drawing large crowds to sold-out shows.
"Having learned so many amazing aspects of Chinese culture, I wondered if I could teach them overseas," Fei said. In 1985, at the age of 32, he decided to move to Europe to open a martial arts school, bringing the essence of Chinese martial arts to the Netherlands. In the first three to four years, most of his students were Chinese, but gradually, more non-Chinese students joined. "The Dutch are very serious once they start learning martial arts. I've been teaching for over 30 years, and some students who started in their teens are still learning with me in their 50s," Fei said.
Immersed in traditional Chinese culture from a young age, Fei has always deeply loved Chinese heritage. In addition to martial arts, he developed a strong interest in collecting Chinese antiques. His collection spans various categories, including ceramics, Buddhist statues, bronze artifacts, paintings, and furniture, earning him recognition in European collector circles.
"Collecting isn't about competing for the most expensive pieces; it's about the stories and knowledge behind them," Fei said. He is fascinated by the profound cultural narratives behind his antiques, and his passion has subtly influenced his foreign students. Fei recalled one student at his martial arts school who became intrigued by the jade pendant he wore. This curiosity eventually led the student to collect Chinese antiques and learn about classic Chinese stories like Farewell My Concubine and Romance of the Western Chamber.
Chinese artifacts, transported across the Silk Road and maritime trade routes, have reached various parts of the world, carrying with them the essence of Chinese culture. Fei believes antiques are a medium through which the stories of Chinese civilization are shared globally.
As the owner of more than 10,000 antiques, Fei has never sold a single item from his collection. However, he has been generous in lending or donating his pieces for exhibitions in China. His porcelain collection has been displayed in exhibitions at venues such as Beijing's Beihai Park and the National Garden Museum. Fei even dreams of establishing a private museum in his hometown of Yixing, allowing his collection to "return to its roots."
"I want to preserve these artifacts and pass them down instead of selling them," Fei explained. "Antiques are cultural treasures that embody thousands of years of Chinese history. They must be handed down from one generation to the next."
Related News:
Comment