Culture in Lancaster and beyond
Our rich events programme of allows us to engage with Lancaster and surrounding area. We aim to develop an appreciation of Chinese culture in the local community and beyond.
We offer cultural classes, hold exhibitions and musical concerts, and work with city councils and heritage organisations to mark important events in the Chinese calendar. There is something for everyone.
Tab Content: Festival celebrations
The Roundhouse hosts students and staff to celebrate important events in the lunar calendar, with a range of activities for Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. With decorations, Guzheng musical performances, Chinese New Year dance performances and eating Chinese dumplings and mooncakes.
Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations are taken into the local community with sessions run in Lancaster Central Library and Moor Park Library, Blackpool. The public can taste mooncakes, try ink painting, a tea ceremony, paper-cutting, Chinese chess and hear storytelling inspired by traditional Chinese folktales.
Tab Content: New Year Carnival in Lancaster
Our Confucius Institute has been working with local Chinese associations to deliver Chinese New Year celebrations in Lancaster for many years. Recently we have sponsored organisers Popber, a non-profit social platform founded by Chinese Lancaster alumni. Each year they bring together 6,000 people to organise and participate in the festivities. The Confucius Institute join them to showcase Chinese culture.
“This festival fosters mutual respect, celebrates diversity, and strengthens the bonds between the Chinese and British communities in Lancaster. Through this event, we aim to build bridges that transcend borders, ultimately enriching our city’s cultural tapestry and enhancing global cultural connections.”
Percy and Josh Popber
Tab Content: North West Dragon Boat Race
Our Confucius Institute is one of several based at universities in the North West. This group includes Edge Hill University, the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester and the University of Central Lancashire.
These universities work together to hold an annual North West Confucius Institutes’ Dragon Boat Race to celebrate the traditional Dragon Boat Festival. Each Confucius Institute sends a team to race against the others.
Our team is made up of students, staff and the public who attend Lancaster University Confucius Institute, so local people are also welcome to take part.
Everyone is welcome to come along on the day to cheer our team on and anyone over 18 can join the team. Training sessions, T-shirts to wear on the day, transport and food are provided.
Tab Content: Catch the Wind Kite Festival
Kites are believed to have some of their earliest origins in China. This community event hosted in Morecambe by More Music attracts around 20,000 people.
Kites are flown on the beach, live music and performances are the perfect backdrop for us to demonstrate and teach traditional Chinese crafts, such as calligraphy, fan making and paper cutting
Tab Content: Light Up Lancaster
With their passion for fireworks, light and art, Light Up Lancaster is a great platform to showcase Chinese culture. The Confucius Institute has partnered with several artists and groups to create beautiful light-themed art installations that have featured at the festival since the event began in 2012.