UCD Confucius Institute Holds 2024 Chinese New Year (Lantern Festival) Celebration

On the evening of February 25th, the first full moon night of the Year of the Dragon, the 2024 Chinese New Year celebration was held at the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland to welcome the Lantern Festival of the 15th day of the Chinese calendar.

His Excellency Mr. He Xiangdong, Ambassador of China to Ireland, Professor Dolores O'Riordan, Vice President of University College Dublin, Professor David Fitzpatrick, President of Technological University Dublin, representatives from the Confucius Institutes at UCC and University of Galway, and other guests attended the event. Nearly 7,000 people from all walks of life in Ireland, local Chinese communities, students, and teachers gathered together to celebrate the traditional Chinese festival.

The celebration featured indoor and outdoor activities simultaneously. Indoors, a cultural performance was held in the Confucius Institute building, while outdoors, various festivities such as dragon and lion dances, fireworks, lantern displays, and an Asian food night market were set up on UCD campus, allowing attendees to experience the joyous and peaceful atmosphere of the traditional Chinese festival.

The highlight of the celebration was the highly anticipated cultural performance. It began with the lively and adorable "Tang Palace Banquet," presented by students from the Dublin Confucius Class for Children. Additionally, there were graceful Dai ethnic dances such as "Yunnan Reflections of Youth," vigorous Mongolian dances like "Running Horses," rhythmic fast-paced skits, and martial arts performances showcasing the exquisite and charming aspects of Chinese traditional arts. These performances won applause and appreciation from the audience.

The splendid indoor performances complemented the lively outdoor festivities. The festive lights of the institute's building intertwined with the fireworks soaring above the lake, while numerous visitors stopped to admire the lantern displays featuring rabbits, pandas, tigers, and other lantern characters on the lakeside lawn. People gathered in front of the Asian food stalls to taste various delicious dishes, while lively dragon and lion dances interacted with the audience, allowing attendees from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to share in the joyous festival wishes.

"As the eastern wind blows, flowers bloom at night, lighting up ancient and modern times." The Lantern Festival illuminates the past and present. The Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the UCD Confucius Institute is the largest Chinese New Year celebrations in Ireland, held annually on the Lantern Festival night, enhancing the festive atmosphere of the first full moon night of the new year. It not only comforts the homesickness of overseas Chinese but also allows local people to experience the charm of Chinese traditional culture firsthand.