#1 Introducing Yuanfen
Meet Hsinmei & Matthias
April 2, 2022 - Zurich, Switzerland - People
It all started on a Saturday. June 7th 2014 marked the day, when Yuanfen brought Hsinmei, Matthias and me together.
I was at that time 23 years old and got the unique opportunity to take the role as the maternity replacement for the Vize Consul of the Swiss Consulate General in Shanghai.
Hsinmei Chuang and Matthias Messmer were invited to present their new book "China's Vanishing World's" at a lecture organized by the Royal Asiatic Society China and the Swiss Consulate.
Why was there an instant connection between us? My Taiwanese roots connecting with the Taiwanese author or my Swiss origin linked to the Swiss author? The combination of both?
Remeeting both of them on Saturday, April 2nd 2022, on Day 2 of my 8 months sabbatical at IYKYK in Zurich, it was clear for us: "It was Yuanfen that brought us together!"
Yuanfen (緣分) is best translated as a „kind of subjectively perceived chance that brings people or people and events together“ (Heger 2015).
My Swiss & Taiwanese roots inspired me for this experiment to use my 8 months sabbatical from my work as Head of Global Design Thinking at GF Piping Systems to explore the concept of Yuanfen during my travels.
Every encounter has itˋs reason, every meal and every place provides an unique opportunity to explore something new. Since „Yuanfen suggests a convergence of destiny and fate and a coincidence with lasting effect“ (Moy 2012) every blog post will tell a short story of a „Moment of Yuanfen“, a connection that was meant to be to happen.
So why was the connection with Hsinmei and Matthias meant to be?
As Hsinmei put it:
„Our work and passion are very similar. We as authors expand the world view of others with our books where as in the role of Head of Global Design Thinking you expand the perspectives of the organization and the teams around you. We three bridge between the established worlds and provide new insights and questions towards it“
I‘m sure that Yuanfen will bring us together again. Where and when? This remains to be seen.
Where we met:
Radisson Xingguo Hotel, Shanghai
Interesting links to further reads:
Wishing you healthy travels and insightful experiences! See you 🤗🥰
Thank you Lea to introduce me to Yuanfen.. Love to follow your exiting trip and see you in September. Ta e care