Economist Tea House. Issue 16

Author: Jin Mingshan, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The tea house in China is similar to the café or bar in Europe. Therefore, mentioning a tea house often brings to mind the European cafés or bars that scholars and artists frequently visit. Among the most famous European cafés I have visited, I would have to say the "Four Cats Café" (Els Quatre Gats) in Barcelona. It is not very large and is located in the center of Barcelona, quite a distance from where I lived at the time, but I still went there often to enjoy its ambiance. The reason is simple: apart from retaining the style it had since its establishment in 1897, it was also a place where famous artists like Picasso, Ramon Casas, and Santiago Rusino often gathered to discuss art and exhibit their works. Sitting there, lost in thought, one can feel the passage of centuries and the things that remain unchanged. Among the most famous European bars I have visited is the "Lapin Agile" in Montmartre, Paris. This bar originally had a very terrifying name—"Assassin's Bar"—but it was renamed after the painter A. Jill painted a picture of a rabbit holding a bottle jumping out of a pot on the wall. The atmosphere of the bar is very infectious. It is said that once you step inside, no matter who you are, you will feel as if you have smoked opium in terms of spirit. The reason for this effect is, of course, the excellent management, but more importantly, it was a place where artists like Picasso and Derain often stayed up all night when they were not yet famous. In recent years, tea houses, or tea art studios, have sprung up like mushrooms in China. There are at least dozens around the university where I work, and I occasionally visit them. However, I believe the best one, and the one I visit most often, is the "Economist Tea House." The tea house opens its doors infrequently, only four times a year, and the seating is also very limited. Yet, this tea house is always crowded with tea enthusiasts, both within and outside the economics circle, including seasoned economists and students. They discuss national affairs, share insights on academic studies, and introduce the latest developments in academia, making it a place where people linger and become a beautiful sight. Truly, the tea house is vast in its realm, and the pursuit of knowledge is endless.