On the 2th day of the Chinese Zodiac New Year of the Horse (Saturday, February 1, 2014), the Confucius Institute at Bangor University, taking the advantage of that public holiday, organized a lion dance performance at the downtown area. Even though the weather was rainy and cold, the whole town turned out to watch the amazing performance. Two teachers of the Confucius Institute, Ms. Meng Yu and Ms. Zhihui Li, used Tai Chi Fans to play with lions which added additional humorous flavors to the lion dance. For Chinese, the lion is an embodiment of good luck and happiness. The lion dance expresses people’s good wishes for chasing away evils and welcoming good lucks. At present, there are two main types of lion dance in China: Northern and Southern Lions. That performance was typical Southern Lion Dance. There were two lions in the performance, a male and a female. The female lion was performed by two girls and the male lion by two boys. The tender and amiable female lion gently touched the spectators from time to time; whereas the masculine male lion danced in the big strides. In order to enhance the interaction between the performers and the spectators, audiences were invited to beat drums and clang gongs. The atmosphere in and around the arena was ardent and lively. For the purpose of increasing the local exposure and awareness of the Confucius Institute’s activities, the relevant leaflets were handed out during the whole activity. In the following week, the local newspapers in North Walsh area devoted a full-page report to that lion dance performance and other activities sponsored by the Confucius Institute. Meanwhile, the newspaper highlighted that event on its front page. That lion dance performance not only celebrated the Chinese New Year, but also helped to enhance the Confucius Institute’s notability in the local community.

By using Tai Chi Fans, Ms. Meng Yu and Ms. Zhihui Li’s play with the lions added additional humorous flavors to the performance.

The tender and amiable female lion gently touched the spectators now and then.

Despite the rainy and cold weather, the whole town turned out to watch the performance.

That lion dance performance not only celebrated the Chinese New Year, but also helped to enhance the Confucius Institute’s notability in the local community.

In the following week, the local newspapers in North Walsh area devoted a full-page report to that lion dances performance and other activities sponsored by the Confucius Institute.