On 16 May, over 60 University of Nottingham staff, students, and local residents gathered at the Nottingham Confucius Institute (NCI) for a vibrant Mandarin Corner event celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival.
The evening began with an engaging introduction by student host Ren Zhixing, who brought to life the festival's history, traditions, and cultural significance. Interactive activities like pinyin games, storytelling and trivia quizzes sparked lively discussions, with participants exploring themes such as the legend of Qu Yuan, dragon boat racing and the symbolic use of mugwort.
The event featured three hands-on cultural activities:
Zongzi Tasting: guests sampled traditional sticky rice dumplings filled with red bean paste, dates and sausage, comparing flavours while learning about the dish's festive significance.
Poetry Reading: attendees analysed classical Chinese poems associated with the festival, decoding their meanings and practicing rhythmic recitations.
Dragon Boat Crafting: using bamboo strips, participants crafted miniature dragon boats, gaining firsthand knowledge of the artistry behind the festival's iconic vessels.
Highlights of the event can be viewed here.
By blending education with creativity, NCI's Mandarin Corner delivered a memorable immersion into one of China's most beloved traditions. It was clearly well received as can be seen in our group photo!
Join us next time! Our upcoming Mandarin Corner on 6 June will explore "The Language of Chinese Flowers"—discover the hidden meaning behind flowers like peonies and chrysanthemums while creating your own beautiful dried-flower fan to take home. Find out more…
