Our University enjoys deep historical links with China – and Chinese students have made, and continue to make, a huge contribution to the success of our institution.
And with early 2024 marking both the start of the University’s bicentenary and Lunar New Year (10 February), eye-catching celebrations have been held not only on campus and across Manchester, but in China too.
On 26 January the Confucius Institute, a partnership between our University, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation and Beijing Normal University, hosted a special concert to kickstart its Year of the Dragon celebrations.
‘Sonic Reverie – A Chinese New Year Concert’, performed by Chinese students and Manchester and Royal Northern College of Music alumni, drew a great turnout and showcased both established and emerging composers from China, featuring pieces never-before-seen in the UK.
The programme aimed to broaden understanding of what Chinese contemporary music can be and, with ‘intercultural’ inspiration behind many of the pieces, sought to promote cultural exchange through music.
‘Sonic Reverie – A Chinese New Year Concert’ featured a number of beautiful performances.
A roaring success
On 6 February campus welcomed some very special visitors – who treated onlookers to a traditional, fun and brilliantly colourful performance.
The Lion Dance began outside University Place, before making its way to the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and Manchester Museum. Fittingly, this year’s performance had a wonderful twist – one of the lions holding a specially made bicentenary banner in its mouth.
Not even the famous Manchester rain could prevent the vibrant animals from putting on a show to remember.
And the dancing didn’t stop there. The lions headed to a ‘Museum Late’ – Lunar New Year – at Manchester Museum that evening. In partnership with the Confucius Institute and Manchester China Institute, the Museum hosted a night of friendship and celebration, featuring live performances and workshops.
Visitors hung their new year wishes on the blossom tree in the Museum’s Main Hall, and enjoyed music from Manchester-based Chinese music ensemble Oriental Breeze. On 11 February the celebrations continued at Manchester’s Central Library, with dance, musical entertainment and traditional Chinese crafts.
Dancing in the rain: the lions perform their traditional dance.
Global celebrations
In 2024 our University’s global connections are shining bright, with bicentenary celebrations stretching around the world – including in China.
As part of our Light Up event on 17 January, the University’s China Centre illuminated the huge CITI Bank Tower in Shanghai in our signature colour, with bicentenary messaging shining across the city and reflecting purple on the water below.
In Hong Kong, a purple, illuminated tram is spreading news of our 200th birthday far and wide. Presented by our East Asia Centre and emblazoned with bicentenary ribbons, it has been traversing the financial and heritage areas of the region.
The start of 2024: a time of colourful celebration for an exciting year ahead.
The CITI Bank Tower in Shanghai joins in the Light Up celebrations.