Chinese Political Slogans Appear on Brick Lane Street Art

Chinese political slogans appear on London

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong Londoner, there is always something new to see and do in this dynamic city.One of the highlights is Brick Lane. The street is lined with curry restaurants and renowned rival beigel bakeries, earning it the nickname “Banglatown.”

The area also plays host to some amazing street art. Check out the crane mural by artist Roa on Hanbury Street or join a walking tour to discover more.

The 12 Core Socialist Values

In Chinese cities and villages, it’s hard to miss the 24-character set of core socialist values (). They adorn restaurant menus, taxi cabs, and schoolchildren must recite them on demand. Xi’s government hopes these values will fortify China against corrupt vices at home and subversive strains of thought abroad.

Those values are prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice and the rule of law, patriotism, dedication, and friendship.

They inherit the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture and draw on the best of world civilization, while also responding to the demands of modern times and reflecting the aspirations of every citizen.

The students who painted the slogans in London’s Brick Lane say they did so out of love for their country and a desire to respond to what they see as the erosion of freedom.

One, who uses the online moniker yiqueart, says that the work was intended to “reflect the environment and encourage people to stand up for their rights.” The work was quickly covered with slogans urging a boycott of Chinese products.

Freedom

Brick Lane is famous for its incredible street art and the best way to explore it is by joining a London street art tour. But if you’d rather amble along at your own pace then you can find plenty to admire by yourself.

The wall’s appearance triggered an outpouring of reaction among Chinese speakers online, with many criticizing what they saw as censorship. But others, including some in China, defended the mural as an expression of freedom.

One popular attraction near Brick Lane is Shoreditch Market, which is open every weekend and offers an authentic taste of east London’s diverse culture.

It’s home to a wealth of international food stalls, vintage shops, and a variety of entertainment venues. And if all that shopping and eating has made you thirsty, then head over to Apples and Pears for an amazing selection of cocktails.

Democracy

One of London’s most iconic streets, Brick Lane is the epicenter for street art and graffiti. As such it attracts international artists to come and paint but locals also keep the area vibrant.

The back wall of the old Seven Stars pub (or what is left of it) is a great spot to see the latest murals on the lane. This black and white animal work was painted by London artist Thisone and covers the whole space.

Another great spot is Pedley Street which runs from Brick Lane to Allen Gardens and the Nomadic community garden. The walls here change frequently but the quality is high. This delicate heron by Roa is one of the few pieces that has stayed for the long term here.

A final spot to check out is the area around the 5th Base Gallery which is in a small side access road to the rear of the Five Stars car park. This area is a hotbed for street artists and has some incredible pieces like this one by Fanakapan featuring a balloon with the word “up” in 3D.

Decolonization

In many ways Brick Lane embodies the idea of decolonization and this is reflected in the street art. Besides the obvious political statements, there are also messages about embracing different cultures and celebrating diversity.

As the name suggests, Brick Lane used to be a centre of brick and tile production because of the rich brick earth deposits. Over the years, immigration from all over the world took place here resulting in this multicultural neighborhood.

You can visit Brick Lane for free any day of the week and explore the side streets as well. A good way to see it is to join a street art tour, but if you’re short on time, start at the bottom near Aldgate East station and walk north. Be sure to snap photos of Christiaan Nage’s mushrooms and check out the old Director’s House.

You can also sample the local food in Ely’s Yard, which was a service yard for the brewery and features a collection of resident street-food vendors from Orange Buffalo with their wings to Mother Clucker with their fried chicken.

The Construction of Socialism

The comrades believe that socialism, or communism, by converting private property into public wealth and substituting co-operation for competition will restore society to its proper condition of a thoroughly healthy organism. It will allow every human being to realize his or her creative potential.

Located in the heart of London’s east end, Brick Lane has long been home to diverse cultures. French Huguenots settled here in the 17th century, followed by waves of Jewish people fleeing pogroms across Europe and Irish migrants in the 19th Century.

Today, the area is often refer to the Banglatown, and is knowned for its curry restaurants, infamous rival beigel bakeries, and street-food stalls serving everything from Tibetan momos to Ethiopian injera.

Brick Lane is also a hub for incredible street art, from small’slaps’ on lampposts to full-blown murals and collages.

Whether you want to see the best of it all or just explore a few corners, it’s worth wandering the side streets like Hanbury and Pedley Street while in the area, along with the alley after Fournier Street and before Fashion Street.