Chinese New Year 2020

3 days of Chinese New Year

The First Day of Year of the Rat

On the first day of the Chinese New Year, 25th January 2020, which is also referred to as the Spring Festival in China, the Confucius Institute at the University of Southampton (CI) jointly organised the celebration to promote the traditions in Chinese culture.  Workshops of calligraphy, handmade paper lanterns, Chinese fan paintings, paper-cutting and handmade red envelopes were held by all staff and international student volunteers from CI at John Hansard Gallery. The performances of lion dance art, martial arts, Chinese folk dance, lute solo, face-changing art, and qipao show, etc. were organised by the Shaolin Temple Martial Arts School at Southampton City Hall. Mayor Peter Baillie gave a welcome speech and his sincerest blessings to the Chinese New Year of the Rat. CI Director Ying Zheng then delivered a speech and announced the first prise winner of the lantern competition - St Denys Primary School.

 

New Year Celebration Continued

On 26th January 2020, the second day of the Chinese New Year, the Confucius Institute at the University of Southampton (CI) organised another Chinese New Year celebration at the Westquay Shopping Centre, together with the Southampton Chinese Association. The CI Director Ying Zheng delivered a new year speech at the opening ceremony, sending out a sincere invitation to people from all walks of life who are interested in learning Chinese language, understanding Chinese culture, and intending to cooperate and develop local Chinese education. Teachers from CI and Chinese students organised a variety of cultural experience activities, which attracted many children and parents to participate in New Year's red envelope making, lantern making and paper cutting. Participants also appreciate the charm of Chinese calligraphy and the beauty of Chinese fan painting.

 

Chinese New Year at the University

On the third day of the Chinese New Year, 27th January 2020, the Confucius Institute at the University of Southampton (CI) organised a third Spring Festival event at Avenue Campus, University of Southampton where the CI office is located. The hallway on the first floor was decorated in red lanterns and Chinese character “Fu” (meaning good luck) and the university restaurant provided Chinese food. CI teachers and university students from China presented workshops for staff and students a rich cultural experience of the Chinese New Year, such as learning how to write “Fu” in calligraphy, Chinese paper cutting of the zodiac “Rat” and lantern making.