Celebrate Global Confucius Institute Day
The Darwin community is invited to celebrate a day of Chinese art and culture at Charles Darwin University as part of Global Confucius Institute Day (Saturday, 27 September).
Territorians will have the chance to get a taste for Chinese traditional food and try their hand at dumpling making or attend classes in Chinese language, calligraphy, as well as enjoy performances by colourful dragon and lion dancers.
Special guests from CDU’s Confucius Institute partner Anhui Normal University will travel from China to offer the community a chance to learn from their expertise in traditional Chinese martial arts and dance.
Confucius Institute Co-Director Professor Martin Jarvis said the Northern Territory’s Confucius Institute at CDU was established to increase awareness of the friendship between China and the Territory and to promote an understanding of Chinese culture.
“There will be something for the whole family, including performances from the local Chinese community fan dancers and singers,” Professor Jarvis said. “Visitors can also participate in traditional games, a Chinese tea ceremony or watch a traditional picture show.
“We hope to engage the local community by providing a day packed with opportunities to learn from experts in Chinese traditional art, music and language.”
Confucius Institute Chinese Co-Director Mr Donghe Liu said the day would be a triple celebration, with 27 September said to be the birthday of Confucius. It also marks a decade since the establishment of the first Confucius Institute in Seoul, Korea.
“This event is part of a global celebration,” Mr Liu said. “There are more than 450 Confucius Institutes across the world, and many of them will be holding similar events on the same day.
“We hope the people of Darwin will get involved and benefit from the cultural activities on offer as part of this major celebration.”
The day will also showcase the short courses on offer at the institute, including Chinese language and Tai Chi.
Celebrations for Global Confucius Institute Day will be held at CDU on Saturday, 27 September from 10am to 2pm in Building Red 2 (Basketball courts), Casuarina campus.