Various activities were held at UIC’s campus to celebrate the Lantern Festival on 19 February.
Lantern Festival Show
In the evening, newly announced President of UIC Prof Tang Tao delivered a welcoming speech at the Lantern Festival Show, saying UIC took this Festival as an opportunity to enhance the UIC community spirit.
President Tang addressing the audience
President Tang presenting a certificate to representives from Scientific Education Hall, from which the largest donation is received at a charitable event
The show featured 11 performances, including singing, dancing, Taekwondo, and a traditional Chinese comedy act known as ‘crosstalk’.
Performances at the show
Lion dance
A tradition of UIC is to perform lion dances around dormitories on the day of the Festival for charitable donations. The lion dancers even took their performance around various departments in an attempt to raise money that will be donated to a special education school in the Doumen district of Zhuhai. A grand total of 17,529.41 RMB was raised.
UIC Vice President (Academic Affairs) Prof Chen Zhi (middle) and Associate Vice President Prof George Wei (left) giving the lion last touches to perfect it
UIC Vice President Prof Zhang Cong
Lion dance around the campus
Making tang yuan and solving riddles
The International Development Office (IDO) also organised a celebration event for international students and Foreign Interns, during which they made tang yuan, which is a traditional Chinese dessert, while also allowing attendees to solve riddles for prizes.
International students and Foreign Interns making tang yuan and solving riddles
When asked how he felt about this event, Hamline University exchange student, Alfred Chen, says "I missed many events before, so now I get to know the new students". LRC Foreign Intern, Taylor Johnson, who is new to UIC this semester, described the event as "Welcoming".
Taylor Johnson (right)
Exchange student Bailey Brya (left) from Hendrix College writing a Chinese poem on the lantern
Reporter: Deng Bowen, Aria Wu
Photographers: Liang Xiaolan, Yang Yumeng, Ivy Liao, Aria Wu
Editors: Samuel Burgess, Marissa Furney, Deen He
(from MPRO)
