Plans to celebrate Chinese New Year with school events

Plans to celebrate Chinese New Year with school events

13 February 2019

NEWRY, Mourne and Down District Council is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a series of workshops and events. 

The council marked the beginning of the Year of the Pig, which last fell in 2007, by working closely with the Confucius Institute and Ulster University to organise school events. 

The festivities comes at a time when relationships between the Council, Southern Regional College, and Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, and China have been cemented by formal Friendly Exchange agreements signed with the city of Changchun,  in north east China back in October last year.

Council chairman Mark Murnin said: “The New Year events we are taking part in give our young people and business community the opportunity to learn more about the Chinese culture in a fun and informative way.

“Our council is delighted to work with the Confucius Institute and Ulster University to strengthen the links with Changchun. The Friendly Exchange agreement that was signed last year, outlined a commitment to explore mutual exchanges in the area of trade, culture, tourism, education and skills and we are keen to increase this relationship.

“I expect that, as part of our growing relationship, we will continue to offer opportunities to learn about, and engage with, Chinese culture and support the development of business and education, something that will certainly benefit all our communities.”

At events in Newcastle, more than 150 students, whose schools are working with the Confucius Institute, had the opportunity to participate in a variety of cultural activities including calligraphy, knot making and listening to music while learning more about Chinese culture and their New Year celebrations.

Downpatrick was the venue for the business-related workshops. Attendees were given advice and guidance on Chinese business culture business etiquette and basic language skills — all aimed at helping businesses to explore potential export and import opportunities.