Stories of Things is back on 31 August at 7:00pm–9:00pm! Three intriguing things and their presenters are excited to share their stories.

• Sylvie Levey, film-maker, sinologist and former journalist will bring a simple enamelled bowl that holds compelling stories from one of her celebrated documentaries about Shanghai.
• Patrick Cranley, guru of Shanghai history and architecture, is back with an item purchased almost a century ago at Sincere Department Store on Nanjing Road. There will be a fascinating story attached no doubt.
• And I, Robert Martin, will talk about a "gobi", one of my favorite Korean wooden antique pieces from the scholar's room. I am greatly looking forward to this event and hope to see many of you there.

If you have an object that has a story to tell at a future session, please contact us. Even if you do not have a "thing" to share, no problem. We welcome all those who have an interest in Stories of Things, their own or others.

In this group, RAS members can share one object that they are passionate about and relate what stories their object has told them about Asia. Even the most modest and inexpensive of things can have rich things to tell us. The purpose is to share and learn. Don't worry if you are not an scholarly expert. This is about your particular relationship with a collected object and thus you are the only expert. The creation of a kind of "intimacy" of sharing among friends is key as well in this process.

Due to limited seating, all guests must R.S.V.P. ahead of the event. Priority will go to RAS members. Non-members will be contacted the day before the event if there is space.