Newcastle University Confucius Institute Showcases Chinese Culture at North Tyneside Together Community Festival

On 27 June, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University participated in the North Tyneside Together community festival at Northumberland Square, following an invitation from North Tyneside Council. The event brought together local residents from diverse backgrounds to celebrate cultural diversity, strengthen community cohesion, and promote intercultural understanding.

Led by Professor Yuxiao Su, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, the Institute was represented by a team comprising four Chinese language teachers, two volunteer teachers, one specialist instructor in traditional Chinese physical culture, and three volunteers. Together they presented a rich programme of hands-on cultural activities and live demonstrations that attracted visitors throughout the day.

Interactive Cultural Experiences

Two featured activities—Chinese Zodiac Rubbing Art and Traditional Lacquer Fan Making—proved especially popular, welcoming nearly 220 participants during the event. Under the guidance of teachers and volunteers, visitors explored the symbolism of the Chinese zodiac while creating their own rubbing prints and handcrafted lacquer fans. Many parents commented that these engaging activities provided children with an enjoyable introduction to Chinese culture through creativity and practical experience.

Traditional Chinese Wellness and Martial Arts

A series of traditional Chinese health and martial arts demonstrations, led by Associate Professor Li Rensong, became one of the highlights of the festival. Three performance sessions showcased Taiji (Eight Methods and Five Steps), the 24-form Taiji, Baduanjin, the 32-form Taiji Sword, the Six Healing Sounds, Taiji Kung Fu Fan, and the Five-Animal Exercises. Interactive sessions also invited members of the public to learn Baduanjin, the Six Healing Sounds, and the Five-Animal Exercises, attracting hundreds of spectators and enthusiastic participation. Following the event, discussions with the organisers explored future collaboration, including the possibility of the Confucius Institute presenting on the festival's main stage next year.

Meaningful Community Connections

The event also generated many memorable moments that reflected the power of cultural exchange. Organisers of International Day, a long-running multicultural event hosted by Restoration Chapel Newcastle, were impressed by the traditional Chinese performances and invited Associate Professor Li to participate in this year's festival on 29 August. Two young sisters from India eagerly identified their zodiac animals, created artwork for family members, and even volunteered for nearly half an hour afterwards, proudly learning to say 'Fu' ('good fortune') in Chinese while expressing their wish to study Chinese at school. A wheelchair user, inspired by the Tai Chi demonstrations, later visited the Institute's stand to enquire about Chinese language courses.

Strengthening Community Engagement

The North Tyneside Together festival provided an excellent opportunity for local residents to experience Chinese culture at first hand while further enhancing the Confucius Institute's profile within the region. Through a combination of interactive workshops, traditional arts, and wellness activities, the Institute continues to promote mutual understanding between China and the UK and to share the richness of Chinese culture with local communities.