UCD CII Hosts Chinese Language and Culture Competition Award Ceremony

UCD CII hosted the 2021 Chinese Language and Culture Competition Award Ceremony on February 15, 2022. The event coincided with the Lantern Festival of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. More than 100 guests attended the ceremony, including H.E. Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Mr. He Xiangdong, Head of Culture and Tourism Section of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland Ms. Wang Oujia, UCD President Prof. Andrew Deeks, UCD Vice President for Global Engagement Prof. Dolores O’Riordan, UCD CII Director Prof. Liming Wang, UCD CII Co-Director Mr. Wei Zhang, UCD CII teachers, students and their parents.

Within a month after it was launched in November 2021 by Dublin Confucius Class for Children with the theme of Chinese language and culture, the competition received over 200 entries from different age groups. These entries showcased the children’s interpretation of Chinese culture, their Chinese proficiency and creative talents in various forms such as essays, Chinese calligraphy, arts and crafts.   

（exhibition of winning entries）

（exhibition of winning entries）

A total of 54 entries from the young children and teenage groups won the competition, with 7 first places, 21 second places, 26 third places as well as 3 creative art prizes representing the Chinese calligraphy class and arts class of the Dublin Confucius Class for Children. All other entries received commendation. VIP guests presented certificates and prizes to 47 students who attended the award ceremony. All winning entries are currently on exhibition in the UCD CII building.

（H.E. Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Mr. He Xiangdong with winners of the competition）

(UCD President Prof. Andrew Deeks with winners of the competition)

（UCD Vice President Prof. Dolores O'Riordan with winners of the competition）

（UCD CII Director Prof. Liming Wang with winners of the competition）

（UCD CII Co-Director Mr. Wei Zhang with winners of the competition）

Laura, one of the winners in the teenage group, said in our interview that her Chinese has improved incredibly through 3 years of Chinese learning at the Confucius Class for Children. She attributed her interest in Chinese learning to the hard working teachers and innovative content. Laura regarded winning the competition as an acknowledgement and encouragement of her effort. She hopes to further her studies and gain first-hand experience of Chinese culture in China in the near future.