During Chinese New Year, the UQ Confucius Institute (UQ CI) sponsored and organised activities throughout Queensland to celebrate the Year of the Pig.
In Cairns and Innisfail, schools affiliated with UQ CI held performances involving music, traditional opera, calligraphy and the ever popular Lion Dancers.
In Brisbane, a group of performers consisting of professional artists led by UQ CI’s teacher Mrs Lu Zhi Fen, delivered Chinese New Year cultural activities at two local schools during February 4 and 8.
The troupe performed Chinese gongfu (kungfu), traditional music played on a Chinese Zither as well as singing and Lion Dancing to elated audiences at Redeemer Lutheran College and St John’s Anglican College.
UQ CI was also proud to support the eighth annual Brisbane Chinese Festival held at Brisbane’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The eighth annual Brisbane Chinese Festival was organized jointly by more than 40 local Chinese community associations and the Queensland Chinese United Council. The aim of the festival is to expand appreciation for Chinese culture and promote harmony in the broader community, which is essential for the development of our multicultural society.
The Brisbane Chinese Festival was organised in conjunction with the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council, local universities and businesses.
On March 1, the Institute facilitated a UQ CI Public Lecture on Confucianism presented by world-renowned expert, Professor Biao Zuo, from Shanghai Maritime University. The lecture on March 1 was part of the second annual BrisAsia Symposium, hosted by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
Presented by Brisbane City Council BrisAsia Festival in partnership with QPAC and supported by UQ CI, BrisAsia Symposium 2019 - Belonging brought together different cultures and disciplines from Brisbane's Asian communities for an intimate, thought-provoking event that sought to strengthen bonds, foster a sense of shared identity and communal belonging, and inspire and connect individuals passionate about cultural change.
Completing this series of statewide activities to celebrate Chinese New Year was an incredible, large-scale event held at UQ’s St Lucia campus on March 5.
The Spring Festival event, organised by UQ Life and supported by UQ CI, involved a workshop on dumpling making and performances, facilitated by UQ CI, as well as food trucks consisting of cuisine from around China.
An elaborate Lantern Parade, part of a campaign to celebrate and reinforce UQ’s commitment to safety on campus, was held later that evening. Participants had prepared hundreds of lanterns for the parade, including Chinese zodiac calendar animals, designed by award-winning Australian artist, Jyllie Jackson. Over 2000 people participated in the event at The University of Queensland.
