The Nottingham Confucius Institute (NCI) marked UN Chinese Language Day with a series of vibrant events to celebrate the cultural richness and creative impact of Mandarin.
The festivities kicked off on 20 April with a special screening of the 2024 Chinese box-office hit ‘YOLO’ (You Only Live Once) at Broadway Cinema. The film, a recent sensation in China, captivated the audience (a nearly full house), offering a glimpse into contemporary Chinese storytelling and culture on the big screen.
The celebrations continued with interactive cultural workshops hosted for talented Mandarin learners from NCI’s partner schools, Rushcliffe Spencer Academy and Alderman White School. Students were immersed in two hands-on activities:
Dragon Boat Making: participants crafted miniature dragon boats, learning about the history and significance of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Peking Opera Mask Painting: students explored the vibrant art of Peking Opera by designing their own intricate masks, each colour symbolizing different traits in Chinese theatrical tradition.
The workshops were well received, with students proudly taking their creations home. View event highlights here.
“It was fantastic to see so many young people engaged and excited about Chinese culture,” said the NCI Co-director. “Events like these not only promote language learning but also build bridges of understanding by sharing traditions.”
UN Chinese Language Day, observed annually on 20 April, highlights the cultural and historical contributions of the Chinese language. NCI’s celebrations this year successfully brought the community together through film, art and education - proving that language learning can be both fun and inspiring.
For more updates on future events, follow NCI on social media or visit our website.
