Cambridge to mark Chinese New Year in style
Chinese New Year – the year of the pig – is just around the corner and will be celebrated across Cambridge with a variety of exhibitions, concerts, dinners and film screenings.
The Cambridge China Centre, together with Cambridge Chinese Community Centre, are organising the Cambridge Chinese Culture Festival 2019, a programme of events to unite communities, businesses and organisations together with the 6,000 Chinese people working, studying and living in the city.
Chinese New Year, which happens on the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar, falls on Tuesday, February 5.
The festival will run from late-January to mid-February and will include an exhibition of Chinese artists, a concert, a film screening of The Soul of Himalaya, a family day at the Fitzwilliam Museum, gala performances, a new year dinner, school activities and various promotions across the city.
Festival co-founder Jinzhao Li said: “It is very exciting for us to be bringing together these cultural activities under one umbrella, helping other organisations across the city to celebrate Chinese New Year with the many Chinese residents and visitors we have.”
The events schedule is as follows:
Spring Festival Fair and Gala Performance
Sunday, January 27, 10am-4.30pm
Cambridge Chinese Community Centre
Exhibition: Ancient Arts in Contemporary China
Saturday, February 2, 12pm-6pm
St Catherine’s College
Renowned Chinese art masters will gather to share their expertise and craftsmanship, showcasing Chinese traditional arts.
Family Day
Saturday, February 2, 2pm-4pm
Fitzwilliam Museum
Activities will include storytelling, traditional paper-cutting and lantern making, plus a special treasure map of the Fitzwilliam’s Asian collections.
Charm of China concert
Saturday, February 2, 11am-12pm
St Catherine’s College
A rare opportunity to see and hear traditional music that incorporates the sounds of fine Jingdezhen porcelain.
Film night
The Soul of Himalaya, Saturday, February 2, 6pm-9pm
St Catherine’s College
Directed by Yunhui Zeng, this epic drama is set in the eighth century and features the Bogar tribe, part of the mysterious Lhoba people who live in the forests of the Tibetan plateau. The film is in Chinese with subtitles.
Networking dinner
Tuesday, February 5, 6.30-9.30pm
St John’s College
The Cambridge China Centre and the Cambridge China Community Centre will host a festive dinner and drinks reception. An opportunity for UK-China industry experts, executives and investors to make connections and gain an insight into Chinese culture.
Across the festival dates, Chinese New Year promotion at Cambridge Businesses
The Cambridge China Centre, Alipay, Cambridge BID, together with many of the 1,200 BID member businesses in Cambridge city centre, will celebrate Chinese New Year 2019 by giving back to consumers with ‘Chinese New Year’ exclusive promotions and ‘Alipay Red Packets’. Use the hashtag #CambsRedPacket to find out how you can take part.
For more information and to book tickets, visit cambridgechinacentre.org/events.
As a membership organisation, Cambridge China Centre facilitates interaction and collaboration between members, and offers members monthly culture events, quarterly networking events, an annual Cambridge China Forum, job postings, and cross-cultural business support.
To become a member of Cambridge China Centre, visit cambridgechinacentre.org or contact the team via enquiry@cambridgechinacentre.org for more information.
Use the hashtag #CCCFestival on Twitter for updates.
