USTB-DMU CI celebrating Chinese New Year with Little Bowden Primary School
Release Time: 2024-02-02Views:
On the afternoon of January 31, 2024, the Confucius Institute at De Montfort University (USTB-DMU CI) and nearly 300 teachers and students at Little Bowden Primary School (CI's affiliated Confucius Classroom) jointly held Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting, Tai Chi fan, and other activities to celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the arrival of the Year of the Dragon.
At the beginning of the event, Mr. Brendan Brannigan, Headteacher of Little Bowden Primary School, gave a welcoming speech to welcome the Confucius Institute (CI) teachers. He also spoke highly of the CI's strong support and contribution to the school's Mandarin teaching and cultural activities and expressed expectations for future close cooperation with the CI. After the welcome speech, CI Director Prof. GU Wei thanked the school for its support and sent holiday wishes to the teachers and the students. At the same time, Director GU also introduced some traditions and customs related to Chinese New Year celebrations. Her lively explanation aroused the students' enthusiasm for the event.
After the speeches, CI teacher Ms. ZHANG Rumeng set up a “Question and Answer” session according to the traditional customs of the Spring Festival. All the students actively participated in the activity, and the atmosphere was warm.
Afterward, the teachers of the CI also brought Yangko dance and Tai Chi fan performances. Their wonderful performances aroused warm applause from the teachers and students present. Later, students at Little Bowden Primary School also celebrated Chinese New Year with Chinese songs '萱草花' ( Xuancao Flower ) and '你笑起来真好看' ( You Look Beautiful When You Smile ). Their beautiful singing impressed the audience deeply.
In the following interactive activities, Ms. ZHANG Rumeng and the children wrote the character "春" together. CI teacher Ms. NIU Zihan led the students to paper-cut the "春" character, and another two CI teachers, LI Jiaying and ZHANG Ying guided the students to practice Tai Chi fan. The children were thrilled when they saw their work.
This Chinese New Year celebration not only provided an opportunity for the local kids to watch wonderful performances and participate in Chinese cultural activities but also allowed everyone present to understand the customs of Chinese New Year better, helping to spread Chinese culture and also laying a good foundation for further cooperation between the Confucius Institute and Little Bowden Primary School.
Group photo
Draft: LI Du
Revision: GU Wei & LIU Jieli
