Chinese New Year 2018: The Year of the Dog

This year, Chinese New Year’s Day fell on Friday 16th February and the festivities will continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the New Year. Traditionally, Chinese New Year is a time for families to be together and typical celebrations may include eating reunion dinner together, giving gifts and red envelopes, buying new clothes, and cleaning and decorating the home.

To celebrate this important event in the Chinese calendar, the Confucius Institute has decorated the foyer and staff room in the School of Modern Languages with Chinese lanterns, Chinese knots and Chinese paper cuttings, and provided some Chinese sweets and biscuits for colleagues and students to enjoy.

The Institute has also been involved a series of activities and cultural events across the University, the Cardiff community, and its network of schools across Wales. Highlights so far have included a ‘China Week’ in Sully Primary School from 5-9th February, the BME+ Staff Network celebrations on 14th February, the lighting of the Main Building from 14-16th February, celebrations with the Welsh Government and Chinese Embassy on 15th February, and being involved with Cardiff City FC’s Chinese New Year festivities on 16th February.

The celebrations will continue throughout February with the following events still to come:

• Wednesday 21st February: Chinese New Year in the Business School
• Postgraduate Teaching Centre, 10.30am – 3.00pm
  • Enjoy Chinese teas and spring rolls, partake in workshops such as Chinese calligraphy, Chinese water colour painting and paper cutting. All we ask is that you give a small cash donation in the box provided for Llamau UK, the School’s nominated charity for 2018, supporting homeless and vulnerable people in Wales.

• Friday 23rd February: Chinese Corner Chinese New Year Special
• CPE 21-23 Senghenydd Road, CF24 4AG, Room E2.20, 5.00pm – 7.00pm
  • An evening of workshops and presentations where you can find out about the history of the Chinese New Year Festival and how it is celebrated.

• Saturday 24th February: Chinese New Year with Cardiff Libraries
• Canton Library, Cardiff, CF5 1QD
  • A family fun day of performances and activities including tea tasting, Chinese chess, a community exhibition, lantern making, traditional dressing up, traditional dance and music, and much more.