Exeter celebrates Chinese New Year

A spectacular dancing dragon, a stunning firework display and traditional Chinese crafts, food and games all featured at the University of Exeter’s celebration of Chinese New Year.

Staff, students and the general public from across the world welcomed in 2016, the Year of the Monkey. In China, it is known as the "Spring Festival" and marks the end of the winter season. The University of Exeter celebrated the Chinese New Year on Saturday 13 February in Exeter city centre and on the Streatham Campus.

The Dragon and Lion dancers paraded through the city, starting in Buffet City, on George Street, ending at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), on Queen Street. The parade continued on to The Forum, Streatham Campus, where there was also a Chinese Market, food, martial arts demonstrations, performances and activities for everyone. The biggest Chinese celebrations in the city featured a firework display which could be viewed from the Streatham Campus.

Yuhang Qi is a third year BSC Mathematics student and the President of the University’s Chinese Society. He said: “Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, has more than 4,000 years of history. It is the grandest and the most important annual event for Chinese people. Being one of the traditional festivals, it is the time for the whole families to reunite together, which is similar with Christmas Day in the UK.

“During the Chinese New Year, we like eating dumplings and watching New Year’s TV shows with families. However, it’s tough for us to be thousands miles away from our families at this time of the year. For those away from home, like me, it’s a welcome stroke of luck when New Year’s Eve falls on a weekend. The Chinese New Year Market provided a great chance for us to get together and share our joy and culture with the local community. This certainly makes our celebration in the UK much more meaningful.”

The celebrations were organised by the Chinese Student Scholars Association (CSSA) and supported by University of Exeter, Students Guild and Streetwise Fund.

Zoe Rutterford, Student Support Officer at the University of Exeter, said: “Chinese New Year has become an important part of the University calendar and these celebrations were a fantastic and family-friendly opportunity to invite the community to share this amazing experience with us.”