CI Banquet Concludes Successfully, Ushering in a New Chapter of Sino-Irish Friendship

On the evening of November 21, 2024, as the final exquisite Huaiyang dish was savoured, the themed banquet "A Taste of Huaiyang" concluded successfully at the UCD Confucius Institute. This culinary feast, held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the People's Republic of China, coincided with "Xiaoxue," one of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar, adding a special significance to the event.

The banquet showcased the unique charm of Huaiyang winter delicacies while integrating the local customs, poetry, and paintings of regions like Yangzhou and Huai'an. It not only allowed guests to appreciate the profound heritage of Chinese traditional festival culture but also shared the story of a "Beautiful China," fostering a deep bond between the peoples of the two nations. Immersed in a fusion of traditional culture and culinary artistry, the event infused new vitality into the friendship and cooperation between China and Ireland.

The event officially opened at 6:30 p.m. and chaired by Professor Liming Wang, Director of the UCD Confucius Institute. He elaborated on the concept of the Confucius Institute Banquet and shared plans to enrich its format by showcasing the unique characteristics of other regional Chinese cuisines in the future. Professor Wang also expressed the vision of hosting the Confucius Institute Banquet as an annual tradition, making it a significant platform for promoting Chinese culinary culture and fostering Sino-Irish exchange and cooperation. Following this, Professor Dolores O'Riordan, UCD Vice President for Global Engagement, Professor XIE Huaqing, President of Shanghai Polytechnic University, and Councillor Rory Hogan, representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin, delivered enthusiastic speeches. They highly praised the deep collaboration between China and Ireland over the past 45 years in culture, education, and commerce, expressing their gratitude to the bridging role the Confucius Institute has played.  Other notable guests included key leader of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, Ceann Ceann Comhairle, Mr Seán Ó Fearghaíl, former Irish Ambassadors to China, Mr. Declan Kelleher and Mr. Paul Kavanagh.

The banquet, themed around Huaiyang cuisine, was meticulously curated by the national culinary team from Shanghai Donghu Group. The chefs combined the traditional techniques of Huaiyang cuisine with Ireland’s high-quality local ingredients to present a fusion of Chinese and Western culinary art. The dishes preserved the classic Huaiyang characteristics, emphasizing precise knife skills, control of heat, and the natural flavours of the ingredients, while incorporating Irish elements such as Atlantic seafood, premium meats, and organic vegetables. The result was a perfect blend of Chinese culinary tradition and Western creativity. From the delicate and flavourful "Crab Roe and Peony Shrimp," to the tender and juicy "Huaiyang Lion's Head Meatballs," and the crispy and savoury "Jiangnan Chrysanthemum Fish," every dish received high praise from the guests.

After the banquet, students and teachers from UCD and an Irish secondary school presented a captivating indoor music performance, showcasing the rich diversity of Sino-Irish cultural exchange. The performance began with a yangqin solo by Confucius Institute teacher YANG Xuan, whose melodic notes perfectly captured the depth of Chinese traditional music. Next, Kelly Cheney, a student from Loreto Dalkey Secondary School, played the guzheng and performed the Chinese folk song Little Bamboo Raft, demonstrating her skilled technique and heartfelt emotion. This was followed by Hernan Perez McKay, a student from UCD Irish Institute for Chinese Studies and a winner of the "Chinese Bridge" competition, who delivered a poignant recital of When You Are Old by Irish poet W.B. Yeats in fluent Chinese, earning thunderous applause for his linguistic skill and emotional delivery. UCD students Mein Nic Craith and Thomas Woulfe performed two traditional Irish pieces, with the lively melodies of the banjo and the concertina adding a delightful touch of Irish charm to this cultural feast. Former Irish Ambassador to China, His Excellency Paul Kavanagh, gave an impromptu performance of an Italian opera during the banquet, earning resounding applause from the audience.

This banquet bridged Chinese and Irish cultures through the mediums of food and art. Huaiyang cuisine not only allowed guests to appreciate the refinement and delicacy of Chinese gastronomy but also highlighted the broad prospects for cultural exchange and collaboration between China and Ireland. As the host, the UCD Confucius Institute remains dedicated to promoting Sino-Irish language and cultural exchanges, deepening mutual understanding and connections between the two peoples. At the end of the evening, attendees took group photos to commemorate this unforgettable occasion.

The themed banquet "A Taste of Huaiyang" concluded amidst warm applause and laughter. Looking ahead, we hope that China and Ireland will continue to engage in deeper cooperation and exchange across more fields, writing even greater chapters of friendship and collaboration together.