Groningen Confucius Institute celebrates 2020 Chinese New Year

Published on 27.01.2020

On 25 January 2020, Groningen Confucius Institute（GCI）successfully organised a Chinese New Year Celebration at the Forum Groningen, attracting over a hundred guests.

GCI Chinese New Year Celebration venue

The event began at 5:30 p.m. This year's celebration was hosted by Ms Wei Jiang, a Chinese language teacher at GCI. She warmly welcomed all the guests and expressed her best wishes on behalf of the entire GCI team.

Ms Wei Jiang hosted the Chinese New Year Celebration

Afterwards, GCI Director Xuefei Knoester-Cao conveyed in her opening speech that one of the most satisfying moments of the last year for her was seeing how former students had succeeded in their careers and studies by learning Chinese. At the same time, she was pleased to observe that more and more people have been learning Chinese in recent years. Since 2020 is the year of the rat, an animal symbolising a powerful life force and vitality, explained Mrs Xuefei Knoester-Cao, she closed her opening remarks by wishing everyone a fruitful and spirited year.

Mrs Xuefei Knoester-Cao delivering her opening speech

Next, guests watched an annual video review compiled by GCI. The video presented the achievements and activities of the GCI in the fields of Chinese education, cultural communication, and Sino-Dutch business platform innovation. The audience got to see the most recent developments and changes at GCI from the past year.

Live musical performances by GCI teachers and students followed. Teacher Jingfan Xie interpreted the Latin pop song "Havana" by playing the zither (Guzheng), a traditional Chinese instrument. GCI students sang 3 Chinese songs and although they had been learning Chinese for only a short while, their singing skills and Chinese pronunciation drew warm cheers from the audience.

Ms Jingfan Xie performing the zither (Guzheng)

GCI students singing “I miss you”

After the performances, it was time to play the knowledge quiz. Before the quiz started, Mr Veenstra, the winner of last year’s grand prize talked about his travel experience in China and wished everyone good luck. GCI prepared abundant questions in the Kahoot game platform for participating guests. GCI teacher Wenjia Xu was the game host and almost everyone in the audience participated in the knowledge quiz through their mobile phones. Wenjia also gave tips by introducing relevant background knowledge to participants prior to or after some questions. Finally, six participants won the first, second and third prizes. Mrs Xuefei Knoester-Cao and Ms Jiahui Jiang presented the prizes to the winners.

Ms Sterre Koops, first prize winner of the quiz competition, brandished her prize and said "I am very happy! I have been to China twice already, but it is still on my wish list!" She has completed HSK 1 and HSK 2 Chinese courses at GCI. In the upcoming semester, she will continue to learn Chinese at GCI.

Ms Sterre Koops talked about her learning experience of Chinese
after winning the first prize of the knowledge quiz

Michelle, a student from Groningen University said in an interview, “This is my first time participating in this Chinese event, it was very nice!” She also mentioned that she hoped to have a chance to further take part in such activities and learn more about China by learning Chinese.

The celebration included a convivial dinner and drinks reception where guests could mix and mingle after the knowledge quiz and lasted until 9:00 p.m.

The Chinese New Year Celebration is a traditional lunar new year event that Groningen Confucius Institute organises each year. Hosting this festive event brings people together to experience a joyful celebration of the Chinese New Year and charm of the Chinese culture.