2025 Northeast England Five-University Chinese New Year Gala
13 February 2025
Confucius Institute at Newcastle University Successfully Co-hosts the 2025 Northeast England Five-University Chinese New Year Gala
On February 3, 2025, the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University (NUCI) and the Newcastle University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) jointly hosted the 2025 Northeast England Five-University Chinese New Year Gala at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, a renowned concert hall in Newcastle. The event drew enthusiastic participation from students and faculty of five universities from Newcastle and surrounding areas, as well as members of the local community, coming together to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The gala was honored to welcome several distinguished guests, including Mr. Yang Zhiyu, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester; Cllr Joan Nicholson, Chair of Durham County Council; Professor Nigel Harkness, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University; Professor Matthew Grenby, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation; and Professor Andrea Wilczynski, Head of the School of Modern Languages at Newcastle University. Representatives from NUCI’s partner organizations also attended, further enhancing the event’s popularity. Their presence underscored the strong support from Chinese diplomatic representatives in the UK, Newcastle University’s senior leadership, and local leaders in Northeast England for Sino-British cultural exchanges.
Leadership and Meticulous Planning by the Confucius Institute
As a major organizer of the event, NUCI played a pivotal role in both planning and execution. Dr. Andrew Law, British Director of NUCI, dedicated significant time and effort to coordinating various aspects of the event, ensuring its seamless launch in collaboration with Newcastle University CSSA. Andrea Freeman, NUCI’s British Administrative Assistant, provided invaluable support throughout the process.
Professor Yuxiao Su, Chinese Director of NUCI, along with all Confucius Institute teachers, was deeply involved in planning every aspect of the gala. This included drafting invitation letters, preparing briefing documents for Newcastle University’s Executive Board member for his welcome speech, designing a special CI logo for the event, organizing venue setup, arranging performances, coordinating guest reception, assigning seating in the theatre, and ensuring the safety of young performers from a local school invited by NUCI. The Confucius Institute’s exceptional organizational skills and professionalism were evident throughout the event.
A Spectacular Cultural Feast
The gala officially commenced at 6:30 PM and continued until 9:30 PM. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Yang Zhiyu, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Manchester, and Professor Nigel Harkness, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University. Both speakers warmly welcomed the audience, expressed their optimism for the future of Sino-British friendship and cultural exchanges, and commended the contributions of Newcastle University’s CSSA and Confucius Institute in bringing this grand event to life.
Students from the five participating universities then presented a diverse and vibrant lineup of performances, including dance, music, drama, and Chinese comedic cross-talk (Xiangsheng), each showcasing the richness of Chinese cultural heritage.
One of the evening’s highlights was a performance of Cui Jian’s classic song "Chu Zou (出走)" by a group of around 20 young children from Oakfield Infant and Junior School, one of NUCI’s longest-standing partner schools, with a decade-long collaboration. Led by their music and Mandarin teacher, Mr. James Renwick, the children enthusiastically played ukuleles and sang, filling the stage with energy and youthful spirit. Their performance captivated the audience, drawing waves of applause and cheers. Many spectators clapped along to the rhythm, and numerous attendees later remarked that it was one of the most memorable performances of the night. The children’s innocence and talent deeply moved the audience.
A Lasting Impact on Cultural Exchange
The successful hosting of the 2025 Northeast England Five-University Chinese New Year Gala brought immense joy to the local community and provided a rich cultural experience for all attendees. More importantly, it reinforced the significant role of the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University in promoting Chinese culture and fostering Sino-British cultural exchange.
Moving forward, NUCI remains committed to building bridges of friendship between China and the UK through diverse cultural initiatives, advancing multicultural integration and development.
