The Sheffield Confucius Institute celebrated this year's Chinese New Year with a vibrant series of events. Highlights included a collaboration with the Information School, a sold-out Octagon Centre show, and a bustling stall at Sheffield's inaugural Peace Gardens parade. In this update we're excited to share more about these events and express our gratitude to everyone involved in making them a success.
Friday, 9 February: Collaboration with the Information School - Chinese New Year Celebrations
The Wave building on the University of Sheffield campus was the venue for the first stage of our Chinese New Year event sequence. The SCI embarked on a collaboration with the University’s Information School to explore Chinese culture through arts, crafts and music, and presentations about each institution. Over 100 students and staff from the university came together to enjoy the event, enjoying Chinese paper cutting, calligraphy, painting, a culture quiz, a guqin (Chinese stringed instrument) workshop and a dedicated guzheng (Chinese zither) performance delivered by long time SCI collaborator Lingxi Zang and her band.
Presentations were delivered by the SCI, exploring the varied platforms in learning and culture that the SCI engages in and how to access them. Dr Angela Lin, a lecturer at the Information School, delivered a thoughtful presentation about the school’s interactions with China, and her experience as a Chinese scholar in the UK.
All in all it was a successful, well attended event that continued the annual collaboration between the Sheffield Confucius Institute and the Information School with knowledge, insight and friendship shared by all.
Saturday, 10 February: Chinese New Year Show at the Octagon Centre
Close to 1000 attendees attended the annual Chinese New Year Gala that took place in the Octagon Centre, the event's original venue, after many years at Sheffield City Hall. It was gratifying to bring such an important event to a University of Sheffield venue and to help stage and facilitate the huge efforts of the organising team and all the artists and stakeholders that made the event such a success. The sold-out audience enjoyed exquisite performances of Chinese traditional music, performances from a Chengdu based acrobatic team and singers and artists from across South Yorkshire and beyond.
The event was attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress as well as distinguished representatives from the University of Sheffield, the Sheffield council and business communities. The SCI was an important partner in facilitating the event, coordinating with the venue and the organising committee. Our dedicated interns also contributed greatly to the event's success! The SCI is proud to contribute to this annual celebration and we look forward to its continued growth in the future.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 & 11 February: Peace Gardens Parade and SCI Cultural Stalls
This Year of the Dragon saw the very first Chinese New Year parade and Chinese cultural fair in the Peace Gardens in the Sheffield City Centre. Over 16,000 guests attended this truly historic event which has the potential to reach the scale of similar celebrations in cities like London and Manchester. The SCI played a central role, hosting a large marquee space to engage the public with stalls exploring calligraphy, Chinese painting, paper cutting and guzheng workshops. SCI staff also designed a fun game for families, which involved the reward of special £1 tokens that were awarded after each activity which could be used at a special stall selling Chinese cultural goods.
We engaged with a constant flow of visitors throughout the weekend and held many meaningful conversations about the SCI's mission and how the public can participate. We’d like to thank our SCI staff, who worked tirelessly for two full days representing the SCI and the University of Sheffield with dedication.
Sunday, 11 February: Chinese New Year Gala at the Octagon Centre in Collaboration with the CSSA
The Chinese Students and Scholars Society (CSSA) at the University held a Chinese New Year gala at the Octagon Centre with an array of artists, singers and performers.
The SCI Director, Andy Barker, gave a speech in celebration of the event and took the opportunity to actively promote the Institute's wide range of courses and events to attendees. Sheffield has been welcoming Chinese students for many years, so we were delighted to once again collaborate with the CSSA and sponsor the organisation of this event.
Tuesday, 13 February: Charity Auction at China Red Restaurant
Vice-President and Director of Global Engagement, Dr Malcolm Butler and the Director of the Sheffield Confucius Institute, Andy Barker, were invited to attend the annual Charity Auction at China Red restaurant in Sheffield City Centre. The event was attended by distinguished members of Sheffield society including the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, members from its business communities, the local council and representatives from the public sector. The SCI was proud to donate special items from its own inventory that were gifts at the auction, raising over £200 for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital charity.
After such a compelling few days of activities, collaboration and discovery we can’t wait for this next Year of the Dragon, one which promises to be a truly thrilling journey of growth and positivity.
Happy New Year of the Dragon!
龙年快乐!
Chinese New Year Show Photographer: Yu Wang
Instagram: sheffieldphotographeryuna
Thank you for reading!
Take a look at the links below to read more about the SCI's recent activities and events!