February 2016 saw the traditionally busiest month in the CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE AT BANGOR UNIVERSITY (CIBU) not disappoint us once again, as many regular and special events took place. All regular Mandarin language classes and TWO DRAGONS CULTURAL CLUBS in CIBU were well underway in primary and secondary (i.e. middle) school and in community groups after the break over Christmas and the western NewYear.
CIBU was more active than ever in promoting its agenda of cultural exchange between China and Wales, illustrated by the TWO DRAGONS icon and it continued its ‘233 PROTOCOL’ (2 dragons; 3 Agendas – education, culture and research; 3 Target Groups– Bangor University, local schools and communities) with excellent support from partner university CUPL and Hanban, Beijing.
The largest event in February was the celebration of the Spring Festival with a Two Dragons Parade through the High Street in Bangor followed by a Calligraphy Workshop for all ages, in the art gallery of the main shopping centre, the DEINIOL CENTRE in Bangor (attended by over 100). Two large traditional dragons, one Welsh and one Chinese and each over 10 metres long, were specially designed and made from helium-filled balloons by local dance artists. Children from local HIRAEL PRIMARY SCHOOL were trained over a period of weeks to carry these huge dragons on poles in a procession from the school through the High Street to the City Centre clock where they were welcoming by the Lady Mayoress of Bangor. The dance was an adaption of the classical story of the Chinese dragon which chased an elusive pearl which was swept away by a storm. The procession, led by CIBU professional dancer LIU Yuan for the Beijing Dance Academy, was cheered along by over 1000 onlookers. Later that day, the dragons attended a New Year celebration of the Chinese Students Union in Bangor University.
Children from Hireal Primary School Practicing Dragon Dance
The Two Dragons Procession
The Two Dragons Procession at the Town Clock
The Two Dragons Procession With the Mayor of Bangor and Local Residents
Also, many special events were held across North Wales to celebrate the Spring Festival period and beginning of the Year of the Monkey, and concluding with Lantern Festival. Many organisations approached CIBU to provide a special event to their community group, club organisation, literally covering the age range 3 to 83! Some of these groups were old (or old-young) friends and some begun working with CIBU for the first time this month. The Spring Festival has become very high profile in Wales, and its celebration has been an annual fixture for many organisations. Now that the CI is in place in north Wales, these groups really appreciate having genuine Chinese culture delivered by highly trained and enthusiastic Chinese people who are able to offer a wide range of cultural experiences.
The publically funded initiative ‘ACTION FOR CHILDREN: YOUNG CARERS’ has started their own TWO DRAGONS journey this month. This initiative helps young people in the area that have caring duties for sick or elderly relatives by providing interesting regular sessions where they can meet and gain new knowledge and skills. The children have enjoyed three evening sessions which included CIBU's new provision of Chinese dance; also the ever popular TAI JI, calligraphy, music and song and Beijing Opera Mask painting.
Staff in CI at BU have been very busy with six all day Spring Festival Cultural Extravaganzas which offered a range of cultural genres in each of six local primary schools, for their pupils aged between 5 at 11 years.
A Film and Crafts event at one of the small local north Wales theatres, THEATR COLWYN, brought a showing of the Hollywood blockbuster film MULAN together with a calligraphy and paper cutting workshop on Saturday 6th February.
Learning Calligraphy
Cutting Paper Together
COMMENTS BY DELEGATES TO OUR FEBRUARY EVENTS
1.ACTION FOR CHILDREN
‘Your staff were fantastic at engaging the children and making it a fun experience for them. They also encouraged questions about China in general, which was lovely’.
(from the local organizer).
2. STUDENTS UNION SPRING FESTIVAL EVENT
‘We were at the event last Monday and I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed it. The performances were great and the food was delicious.’
(from a Bangor University Student).
3. TWO DRAGONS PARADE
‘The Two Dragons Parade and all the preparation work leading up to the event will hold a special place in our memories . Having Colin, Pete and the Yuan working alongside the pupils and staff is an experience we will treasure for a very long time.’
(Teacher, local primary school).
“The dragons were wonderful, the children and everyone had worked so hard and I had a wonderful afternoon in the Deiniol Centre as well.It was so lovely to have an attraction on the High Street. The public turned out for them and I am sure everyone enjoyed the show. Come on let’s have more like this. I intend writing to the school to thank them.
(The Mayor of Bangor,Counsellor Evelyn Butler).
“Well done toYsgol Hirael staff and pupils, Confucius Institute and everyone else involved in making the 2 Dragon Parade a huge success!Bangor High St needs a lot more bouncing projects like this happening!!”
(ASpectator)
“A fantastic parade and a credit to the hard work the Confucius Institute put in, you should be very proud. A fantastic turnout and the amount of interest generated around the Town Clock area was tremendous.”
(MarkWilliams,Corvus Security – local businessman)
“Nice coverage - well done, a good event, nice to see Bangor buzzing.”
(Hugh Edwin Jones,Gwynedd Council)
4. KINGSLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL EVENT
‘Thanks Vicky, thechildren absolutely loved it! We have put a story on our school websitehere:
http://ysgolkingsland.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/confucius-institute-sefydliad-confucius.html’
(Head, Kingsland Primary School, Holyhead)
5. BANGOR RAINBOWS EVENT
‘It was wonderful, thank you! Yuan (dancer) you were fantastic with the girls, they really enjoyed themselves!’
(leader of Bangor branch of Rainbows, a national children’s adventure and life skills organization).
6. REPORT IN DAILY POST - NORTH WALES’S LARGEST CIRCULATION DAILY NEWSPAPER (24thFebruary 2016)
Confucius Institute hosting exciting events in and around the city to mark the Year of the Monkey
Dancer Liu Yuan with 'Balloon Dragon' during the Chinese New Year parade at Bangor's High Street
The Year of the Monkey has just begun in the Chinese calendar.
And Bangor University ’s Confucius Institute is hosting exciting events in and around the city.
Enthusiasts staged a Chinese film and crafts day at Theatr Colwyn and a special dragon puppet workshop at Penrhyn Castle earlier this month.
Fifteen schools and community groups also took part in Chinese cultural workshops,
The highlight of this year’s events was undoubtedly the Institute’s awe-inspiring Two Dragons Parade on February 13; a vibrant procession through Bangor city centre, created, performed and puppeteered by school children from Ysgol Hirael.
The parade, which drew a large crowd of shoppers, was followed the same afternoon with a drop-in calligraphy workshop at the Deiniol Shopping Centre Gallery.
The New Year season draws to a close on Sunday, March6, with a second calligraphy workshop at Pontio to accompany the screening of new Mandarin language film The Assassin (12A).
The Confucius Institute continues to run regular Chinese classes with local schools including Ysgol Friars ,Hirael and Our Lady’s ( Bangor); Ysgol Kingsland, Holyhead and Llanbedrgoch ( Anglesey); Ysgol y Gader ( Dolgellau ) and Denbigh High School . Mandarin classes also take place each week at Coleg Menai and the institute’s St Mary’s Site on Mondays.
Dr David Joyner, institute director, said: “We are delighted to be able to introduce many individuals and groups across North Wales to the riches of Chinese culture. But more than that, the Confucius Institute at Bangor University emphases cultural exchange between Wales and China.”
For more information about any upcoming events or activities from the Confucius Institute, please visit www.bangor.ac.uk/confucius-institute , find them on Facebook (Sefydliad Confucius Bangor Confucius Institute) or email: confuciusinstitute@:bangor.ac.uk.
