On Sunday 26th January, the Liverpool Confucius Institute (LCI) hosted its annual Chinese New Year Gala in The Tung Auditorium to celebrate the Year of the Snake.
Liverpool might be home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe, but the gala, which aimed to celebrate diversity and inclusion, showcased a range of talents. From enthusiastic school children and skilled university students, to dedicated community groups and seasoned professionals, the LCI welcomed them all onto the stage.
The audience was treated to an evening of fantastic entertainment, with acts ranging from martial arts displays and orchestral performances, to piano recitals and choral singing.
An evening of spectacular entertainment was rounded off by the spectacular golden dragon dance. The 20-foot dragon, lit from the inside and expertly manipulated by six martial artists, was met with raucous applause.
Dr Penny Ding, the UK Deputy Director of the Liverpool Confucius Institute said: “It was a privilege to organise such a diverse and joyful gala. This year we welcomed a record of150 performers, ranging from six-year-olds in the Liverpool Confucius Institute children’s group to a 76-year-old singer in the Rainhill Community Choir.
“This event is about more than just a performance—it’s about bringing people together. From primary schools to universities, community groups to professional performers from China, this stage belongs to everyone.
“I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in the gala and wish you all a very happy and prosperous Year of the Snake.”
Speaking about the gala, Professor Stephen Davismoon Executive Dean, Faculty of Creative Arts and Humanities at Liverpool Hope University said: “Art is so important for the celebration of life’s important festival occasions, cultural difference and historical ritual. Your gala event achieved this with great style, charm and enchantment.” Musical theatre students and the Chamber Choir from Liverpool Hope also had the opportunity to perform at the gala.
“This event is quickly becoming one of our favourite highlights of the year. We were truly inspired by the incredible talent on display and loved the opportunity to share our songs with such a wonderful audience,” added Jane Fleming from Jelli Studio who performed an outstanding rendition of the Beatles’ ‘Hello, Goodbye.’
Donna Jones from Cardinal Heenan School, who performed ‘The Legend of the Mirror’ said: “Thank you for allowing us to be a part of such an incredible event on Sunday. It was such a privilege for the boys to enhance their culture capital by experiencing such wonderful high calibre performances and gain a broader understanding of Chinese Arts and history.”
For more information about the Liverpool Confucius Institute, visit their website here.
Photos credited to Gareth Ward. Captions:
- Children’s Martial Arts School (Jinlong Cultural and Performing Arts)
- Chinese Ballet Dancers (Jinlong Cultural and Performing Arts)
- Dragon Dance (Jinlong Cultural and Performing Arts)
- Xida Lu, MA student from the University of Liverpool’s Music Department, performing the Marimba piece “Piano Particles.”
- ‘A Beatles Medley’ performed by Jelli Studio
- ‘The Legend of the Mirror’ by Cardinal Heenan High School