Dashan

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Dashan (Mark Rowswell) hosting a live broadcast for China Central Television in November, 2006
Dashan (Mark Rowswell) hosting a live broadcast for China Central Television in November, 2006

Dashan (大山, pinyin: Dàshān, lit. "Big Mountain") is the Chinese stage name adopted by Canadian Mark Henry Rowswell (born 1965 in Ottawa, Ontario) who works as a freelance performer in China. Relatively unknown in the West, Dashan is perhaps the most famous Western performer in China, where he occupies a unique position as a foreign national who has become a bona fide domestic celebrity.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Education

Roswell attended high school at Nepean High School in Ottawa, Ontario. Rowswell began studying Chinese while attending the University of Toronto in 1984. His original Chinese name, as given by his Canadian Chinese-language teacher, was Lu Shiwei (路士伟). Upon graduation from the University of Toronto in 1988, Rowswell was awarded a full scholarship to continue Chinese language studies at Peking University.

[edit] First Television Appearance

Rowswell first appeared on Chinese television to host an international singing competition in November 1988. The following month he was invited to perform a comedic skit on national television during the CCTV New Year's Gala, a variety program broadcast to an estimated audience of 550 million people. The name "Dashan" ("big mountain" in Chinese) comes from the character Rowswell played in this skit, entitled Ye gui (夜归), which propelled him to national stardom overnight.

Due to the abrupt nature of Dashan's rise to fame, he has been called an "accidental celebrity". However, his subsequent longevity and continuing prominence in the Chinese media almost two decades later suggest something more substantive than mere accident. Many foreign nationals appear regularly on Chinese television, and foreigners fluent in the Chinese language are no longer a rarity. Yet no other foreign national has come close to the level of recognition and popularity in China enjoyed by Dashan.

[edit] Xiangsheng

Following Rowswell's first appearance as "Dashan", he began formal study of xiangsheng (a traditional form of "crosstalk" comedy) with his mentor, China's foremost comedian Jiang Kun. In December 1989, Dashan became the first foreigner to be formally accepted into the strict xiangsheng hierarchy as a member of the "9th generation," a move that caused considerable controversy in Chinese performing arts circles at the time. Xiangsheng is often called "the art of comedic language", and as such is regarded in China as a highly skilled form of performing art beyond the reach of most native speakers, much less a foreigner.

Through the 1990s, Dashan appeared frequently on national and regional television programs across China to perform xiangsheng, including several appearances on CCTV's annual television program celebrating the Chinese New Year Gala Chunjie Wanhui (春节晚会) in 1998 and 1999. This program is easily the most influential annual television event in China, with an estimated audience of 900 million to 1 billion viewers. Appearances on this and other programs gained Dashan wide recognition throughout China.

[edit] Current Work

Dashan's initial fame came from performing xiangsheng, but he gradually expanded into a variety of performing styles and public activities. Although he has been less involved in comedy in recent years, Dashan continues to be a popular performer and on-air personality on Chinese television.

[edit] Freelance Host

Much of Dashan's television work now is as a freelance host of many varied television programs and live events, especially those with an international focus and requiring a bilingual (English/Chinese) MC. He has also co-produced and hosted numerous language education programs, to teach both English and Chinese. The most current of these is "Sports Chinese", a 15 minute Chinese lesson that broadcasts on CCTV International in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This program is a continuation of a series of language programs hosted by Dashan for CCTV International, including "Travel In Chinese".

[edit] Dramatic Acting

In recent years, Dashan has also expanded into dramatic acting, often to portray other famous foreigners in Chinese history. In 2005, he played the lead role in a 24-part television series "Palace Artist" broadcast by China Central Television, as the 18th century Italian Jesuit painter Giuseppe Castiglione. In 2006, Dashan performed the lead role in "Red Star Over China", a stage play based on the life and work of the American reporter Edgar Snow. In 2007 he starred in a Chinese stage adaptation of the French comedy "Le Dîner de cons" ("The Dinner Game" in English), which toured across China.

[edit] Endorsement

Dashan's name and image can often be seen in commercial endorsements for various Chinese and international companies. Dashan is also active as a spokesperson for several charity organizations, primarily involved with cancer prevention as well as environmental protection.

[edit] Cultural Ambassador

In many instances, Dashan has transcended the role of celebrity performer to become a cultural ambassador between China and the West. A recent example was his appointment as Team Attaché to the Canadian Olympic Committee for the 2008 Summer Olympics to be held in Beijing.[1]

[edit] Awards

  • In 2007, The Governor-General of Canada announced that Dashan had been appointed a member of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honor in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding achievement. The appointment had been in effect since October 5, 2006. [2]
  • In 2006, Dashan was awarded the Key to the City of Ottawa, in recognition, as a native of Ottawa, of his contribution to furthering understanding between the peoples of China and Canada[3].
  • In 2004, Dashan was chosen as one of ten "Outstanding Youth of Beijing." This marked the first time a foreign national has received this award, one of the highest honors granted by the Beijing authorities. [4]
  • In 2004, Dashan also received a rare "Special Recognition Award" from the Canadian Cancer Society for his work on a joint Canada-China cancer prevention program.[5]
  • In 1999, TIME Magazine selected Dashan as one of the "Leaders for the 21st Century." [7]
  • In 1998, China's New Weekly Magazine chose Dashan as one of the "Outstanding People of the Past 20 Years."[8]

[edit] See also

In 1995, the National Film Board of Canada produced a documentary, directed by Guy Nantel, called Dashan, Ambassador to China's Funny Bone.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Canadian Olympic Committee (November 6, 2006) Canadian Olympic Committee Names Mark Rowswell Team Attaché for 2008 Olympic Games. Press Release. Retrieved on 2007-9-18.
  2. ^ Governor General of Canada (February 20, 2007) Governor General Announces New Appointments to the Order of Canada. Press Release. Retrieved on 2007-9-18.
  3. ^ Glen McGregor, "Anonymity to fade for Ottawa native who's a star in China," Ottawa Citizen, March 22, 2006
  4. ^ "Dashan Named 'Outstanding Youth of Beijing'," Xinhua News Agency, December 23, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-9-18.
  5. ^ Canadian Cancer Society (14 October, 2004) China's Most Famous Foreigner to Receive Prestigious Canadian Cancer Society Award. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-9-18.
  6. ^ "100 Alumni Who Shaped the Century," University of Toronto Magazine, Vol 27, No 3, Spring 2000, p 18.
  7. ^ "A New Generation of Leaders," Time, September 27, 1999, p 66.
  8. ^ "Outstanding People of the Past 20 Years," New Weekly, December 1, 1998, p 73.

[edit] References

  • "Rowswell, Mark Henry". Canadian Who's Who. (2006). Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 

[edit] External links