Dashan
Encyclopedia
Dashan is the Chinese
stage name
adopted by Canadian
Mark Henry Rowswell, CM (born May 23, 1965 in Ottawa
, Ontario
) who works as a freelance performer in People's Republic of China
. Relatively unknown in the West, Dashan is the most famous Western personality in China
's media industry. He occupies a unique position as a foreign national who has become a bona fide domestic celebrity. Dashan can speak English
and Mandarin fluently. He also spoke Cantonese in a Ford Commercial targeted at North American Chinese consumers.
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
with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies in 1988, Rowswell was awarded a full scholarship to continue Chinese language studies at Peking University
.
, a variety program broadcast to an estimated audience of 550 million people. The name "Dashan" ("big mountain" in Chinese) comes from the character Xu Dashan that Rowswell played in the skit, which was entitled Ye gui (夜归). The skit propelled him to national stardom overnight because of his fluent Chinese and delivery.
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.
(a traditional form of "crosstalk" comedy) with his mentor, Chinese 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
, CCTV New Year's Gala
(春节联欢晚会), in 1998 and 1999. This program is China's most watched 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.
In early 2009 Dashan made a return to the CCTV New Year's Gala to perform xiangsheng. This skit, in which Dashan appeared together with Ma Dong, son of the famous Xiangsheng master Ma Ji
, received 2nd Prize in the audience choice awards announced at the end of the Chinese New Year
holiday. With this performance, Dashan became (at the time) the only foreign national to have appeared on the CCTV New Year's Gala
a total of three times.
Dashan made a fourth appearance on the CCTV New Year's Gala
in 2011, in a skit with several foreign students studying Chinese at Confucius Institute
s in various countries. This skit was also awarded 2nd prize in the audience choice awards.
, 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. In many instances, Dashan has transcended the role of celebrity performer to become a cultural ambassador between China and the West, both in an informal as well as official capacity. On May 13, 2009, Dashan was appointed to be Canada's Commissioner General for Expo 2010
in Shanghai. Previously, Dashan served as Team Attaché to the Canadian Olympic Committee
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
".
, as the 18th century Italian Jesuit painter Giuseppe Castiglione. In 2006-07, 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 2007-08 he starred in a Chinese stage adaptation of the French comedy "Le Dîner de Cons
" ("The Dinner Game" in English), which toured across China and for which he was awarded the prestigious White Magnolia Award for best supporting actor.
.
launched an audio tour
that was recorded by Dashan. The tour features Dashan speaking in Mandarin about the gallery's Canadian art collection.
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
adopted by Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Mark Henry Rowswell, CM (born May 23, 1965 in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) who works as a freelance performer in People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. Relatively unknown in the West, Dashan is the most famous Western personality in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's media industry. He occupies a unique position as a foreign national who has become a bona fide domestic celebrity. Dashan can speak English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Mandarin fluently. He also spoke Cantonese in a Ford Commercial targeted at North American Chinese consumers.
Education
Rowswell attended high school at Nepean High SchoolNepean High School (Ottawa)
Nepean High School is a high school in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is located in Westboro, at 574 Broadview Avenue. There are 1180 students enrolled for 2006-2007. Rene Bibaud is the current principal . The two vice principals are Peter Wilson and Jean Fulton-Hale.The school began as a continuation...
in Ottawa, Ontario. Rowswell began studying Chinese while attending the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
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
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies in 1988, Rowswell was awarded a full scholarship to continue Chinese language studies at Peking University
Peking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
.
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 GalaCCTV New Year's Gala
The CCTV New Year's Gala is a Chinese New Year special produced by China Central Television. Broadcast on the eve of Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1, satellite channels CCTV-4, CCTV-9, CCTV-E, CCTV-F, and CCTV-HD, the broadcast has a yearly viewership of over 700 million viewers, making it...
, a variety program broadcast to an estimated audience of 550 million people. The name "Dashan" ("big mountain" in Chinese) comes from the character Xu Dashan that Rowswell played in the skit, which was entitled Ye gui (夜归). The skit propelled him to national stardom overnight because of his fluent Chinese and delivery.
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.
Xiangsheng
Following Rowswell's first appearance as "Dashan", he began formal study of xiangshengXiangsheng
Xiangsheng , sometimes translated as crosstalk, is a traditional Chinese comedic performance in the form of a dialogue between two performers, or, much less often, a solo monologue or, even less frequently, a multi-player talk show. The language, rich in puns and allusions, is delivered in a rapid,...
(a traditional form of "crosstalk" comedy) with his mentor, Chinese 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
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
's annual television program celebrating the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
, CCTV New Year's Gala
CCTV New Year's Gala
The CCTV New Year's Gala is a Chinese New Year special produced by China Central Television. Broadcast on the eve of Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1, satellite channels CCTV-4, CCTV-9, CCTV-E, CCTV-F, and CCTV-HD, the broadcast has a yearly viewership of over 700 million viewers, making it...
(春节联欢晚会), in 1998 and 1999. This program is China's most watched 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.
In early 2009 Dashan made a return to the CCTV New Year's Gala to perform xiangsheng. This skit, in which Dashan appeared together with Ma Dong, son of the famous Xiangsheng master Ma Ji
Ma Ji
Ma Ji , born Ma Shuhuai , was a xiangsheng performer in China. He was one of his generation's most popular and influential xiangsheng performer and was mentor to many later xiangsheng performers.- Biography :...
, received 2nd Prize in the audience choice awards announced at the end of the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
holiday. With this performance, Dashan became (at the time) the only foreign national to have appeared on the CCTV New Year's Gala
CCTV New Year's Gala
The CCTV New Year's Gala is a Chinese New Year special produced by China Central Television. Broadcast on the eve of Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1, satellite channels CCTV-4, CCTV-9, CCTV-E, CCTV-F, and CCTV-HD, the broadcast has a yearly viewership of over 700 million viewers, making it...
a total of three times.
Dashan made a fourth appearance on the CCTV New Year's Gala
CCTV New Year's Gala
The CCTV New Year's Gala is a Chinese New Year special produced by China Central Television. Broadcast on the eve of Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1, satellite channels CCTV-4, CCTV-9, CCTV-E, CCTV-F, and CCTV-HD, the broadcast has a yearly viewership of over 700 million viewers, making it...
in 2011, in a skit with several foreign students studying Chinese at Confucius Institute
Confucius Institute
Confucius Institutes are non-profit public institutions that aim to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, as well as facilitating cultural exchanges. They are sometimes compared to language and culture promotion organizations such as France's...
s in various countries. This skit was also awarded 2nd prize in the audience choice awards.
Current work
Dashan's initial fame came from performing xiangshengXiangsheng
Xiangsheng , sometimes translated as crosstalk, is a traditional Chinese comedic performance in the form of a dialogue between two performers, or, much less often, a solo monologue or, even less frequently, a multi-player talk show. The language, rich in puns and allusions, is delivered in a rapid,...
, 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. In many instances, Dashan has transcended the role of celebrity performer to become a cultural ambassador between China and the West, both in an informal as well as official capacity. On May 13, 2009, Dashan was appointed to be Canada's Commissioner General for Expo 2010
Expo 2010
Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China was held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31, 2010. It was a major World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions, the first since 1992...
in Shanghai. Previously, Dashan served as Team Attaché to the Canadian Olympic Committee
Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian Olympic Committee - COC is the private, non-profit organization representing Canadian athletes in the International Olympic Committee and the Pan American Games. It was formally recognized by the IOC in 1907. The COC also represents the selection of Canadian cities in their bid for...
for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing.
Television 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 InternationalCCTV International
CCTV News formerly known as CCTV-9 is a 24-hour English news channel, of China Central Television . The channel grew out of CCTV International, which was launched on 15 September 2000. CCTV News coverage includes newscasts, in-depth reports, and commentary programs, as well as feature...
. This program is a continuation of a series of language programs hosted by Dashan for CCTV International
CCTV International
CCTV News formerly known as CCTV-9 is a 24-hour English news channel, of China Central Television . The channel grew out of CCTV International, which was launched on 15 September 2000. CCTV News coverage includes newscasts, in-depth reports, and commentary programs, as well as feature...
, including "Travel In Chinese
Travel In Chinese
Travel in Chinese is a 15 minute segment on CCTV-9 that is hosted by Dashan. The segment is a Chinese lesson.-Background:The Chinese lesson segments is broken down into:* A 2-3 minute action scene using key Chinese phrases...
".
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 TelevisionChina Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
, as the 18th century Italian Jesuit painter Giuseppe Castiglione. In 2006-07, Dashan performed the lead role in "Red Star Over China
Red Star Over China
Red Star Over China, a book by Edgar Snow, is an account of the Communist Party of China written when they were a guerrilla army still obscure to Westerners. Along with Pearl Buck's The Good Earth, it was the most influential book on Western understanding and sympathy for China in the 1930s...
", a stage play based on the life and work of the American reporter Edgar Snow
Edgar Snow
Edgar P. Snow was an American journalist known for his books and articles on Communism in China and the Chinese Communist revolution...
. In 2007-08 he starred in a Chinese stage adaptation of the French comedy "Le Dîner de Cons
Le Dîner de cons
-External links:* , Francis Veber Play at...
" ("The Dinner Game" in English), which toured across China and for which he was awarded the prestigious White Magnolia Award for best supporting actor.
Endorsements
Dashan's name and image can often be seen in commercial endorsements for various Chinese and international companies, including Ford automobiles. Dashan is also active as a spokesman for several charity organizations, primarily involved with cancer prevention as well as environmental protection.Shanghai 2010 World Expo
Dashan served as Commissioner General for Canada at the Shanghai 2010 World ExpoExpo 2010
Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China was held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31, 2010. It was a major World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions, the first since 1992...
.
National Gallery of Canada Audio Tour
On June 29, 2011, the National Gallery of CanadaNational Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada , located in the capital city Ottawa, Ontario, is one of Canada's premier art galleries.The Gallery is now housed in a glass and granite building on Sussex Drive with a notable view of the Canadian Parliament buildings on Parliament Hill. The acclaimed structure was...
launched an audio tour
Audio tour
An audio tour or audio guide provides a recorded spoken commentary, normally through a handheld device, to a visitor attraction such as a museum. They are also available for self-guided tours of outdoor locations, or as a part of an organised tour. It provides background, context, and information...
that was recorded by Dashan. The tour features Dashan speaking in Mandarin about the gallery's Canadian art collection.
Awards
- In 2009, Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, BC, Canada) bestowed an Honorary Doctorate on Dashan recognizing his efforts to build global connections between cultures and economies through international education. The Honorary Doctorate was presented by TRU during its Convocation ceremony on June 26 at the Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, China.
- In 2008, Dashan was awarded the White Magnolia Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Dinner Game". This marks the first time a Westerner has received one of China's most prestigious awards for the performing arts.
- In 2007, The Governor-General of Canada announced that Dashan had been appointed a member of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, Canada's highest civilian honour in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding achievement. The appointment had been in effect since October 5, 2006.
- In 2006, Dashan was awarded the Key to the City of OttawaOttawaOttawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, in recognition, as a native of Ottawa, of his contribution to furthering understanding between the peoples of China and Canada.
- In 2004, Dashan was chosen as one of "Ten Outstanding Young Adults of Beijing." This marked the first time a foreign national has received this award, one of the highest honours granted by the Beijing authorities.
- 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.
- In 2000, the University of TorontoUniversity of TorontoThe University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
selected Dashan as one of "100 Alumni Who Shaped the Century."
- In 1999, TIMETime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
Magazine selected Dashan as one of the "Leaders for the 21st Century."
- In 1998, China's New Weekly Magazine chose Dashan as one of the "Outstanding People of the Past 20 Years."
- In 1995, the National Film Board of CanadaNational Film Board of CanadaThe National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
produced a documentary, directed by Guy Nantel, called Dashan, Ambassador to China's Funny Bone.