On the afternoon of 26 November, the Pope Building at University Park was alive with cultural celebration as the Faculty of Science hosted its Winter Diversity Day. Running from 2 to 4 PM, the event aimed to share winter traditions from across the University of Nottingham’s global community. A standout feature was the vibrant showcase organised by the University of Nottingham Confucius Institute (NCI), whose interactive exhibits drew steady crowds throughout the afternoon.

The NCI’s engaging stalls offered visitors a hands-on experience of Chinese culture. At the Hanfu station, attendees lined up to try on elegant traditional garments and take photos, while the gentle, resonant sounds of the Guzheng zither provided a serene soundtrack—often tempting passers-by to pause and even try playing a note. The most popular attraction was the personalised Chinese naming and calligraphy booth, where NCI staff created meaningful Chinese names for participants and expertly inscribed them with brush and ink.

“I had no idea how poetic Chinese names could be,” remarked one student, admiring her name beautifully written on a card. “It’s a wonderful keepsake from today.”

By offering such immersive and personal experiences, NCI helped turn the afternoon into a lively forum for cultural exchange, reinforcing the spirit of diversity and shared celebration at the heart of the event.