The University of Aberdeen's Confucius Institute will celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year later this month with a packed schedule of family-friendly events to welcome the Year of the Horse.
The annual Spring Family Festival returns to Elphinstone Hall and the Zoology Museum at the King’s College campus on 22 February from 10am to 4pm. Visitors will be able to enjoy a fun-filled day with hands-on activities hosted by the Confucius Institute and University Collections.
Explore the captivating world of Chinese art and culture, including Chinese calligraphy, face painting, traditional games and colourful horse-themed crafts. There will be opportunities to dress up for photos, meet the Critter Keeper or try your hand at chopstick challenges.
Those attending are also invited to take part in the Lego trail and find all of the Lego Minifigures riding Lego horses hidden in both Elphinstone Hall and the Zoology Museum for a chance to win a Galloping Horses Canvas or a Lucky Cat Lego set.
With face painting by Love Rara and plenty of family-friendly fun, everyone is welcome to join this free event and celebrate the Year of the Horse in style.
There will be special New Year sweet treats from Candy’s Dream Cake and lunch options available to order on campus.
Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu lion dance and Red Phoenix Dance traditional Chinese dance performances will take place outside the Sir Duncan Rice Library at 12.45pm and 2.30pm.
On 28 February, the Spring Festival Gala Show, a vibrant showcase of music, dance and performance that brings together Chinese culture and the local community, will take place at the Tivoli Theatre.
Featuring talented University students, local groups and community performers, this year’s programme includes dynamic acts from Redphoenix Dance and Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu, alongside a spectacular lion dance to welcome the Year of the Horse.
The evening promises an uplifting and colourful celebration that blends Chinese heritage with contemporary creativity. From graceful dance and energetic martial arts to joyful music and song, the Spring Festival Gala Show offers something for everyone. Tickets are £8.50 or £5 for concessions and can be booked here.
Director of the University of Aberdeen’s Confucius Institute, Sarah Wang, said: “We are really looking forward to celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year with the local community and can’t wait to kick off the Year of the Horse.
“With more than 2,000 people attending our events last year, we’re excited to welcome the public to our annual Spring Family Festival in Old Aberdeen and showcase the talent of our spectacular performers at the Tivoli Theatre.
“As well as being a celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year, our events present the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture, language and traditions. We hope anyone with an interest will join us in our celebrations.”
The Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen, established in 2013, provides Chinese language teaching, culture classes and cultural events to the north-east Scotland community.
For more information about this year’s events, and further details about the Confucius Institute, visit https://www.abdn.ac.uk/about/campus/confucius/events