UCLan Confucius Institute welcomed performance troupes for celebrations
Around 250 schoolchildren, university students, members of the public and the Mayor of Preston have celebrated the start of the Chinese New Year in colourful style.
The packed audience, at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), enjoyed a modernised Sichuan operatic dance performance from the globally-renowned Chongqing Chuanju Theatre troupe and a traditional lion dancing display from the Jinlong Chinese Martial Arts Academy.
Chuanju, the style of Chinese opera that was performed, lived up to its reputation for holding the audience captive with martial arts and acrobatic performers in colourful costumes. Among the excited crowd was youngsters from Kingsfold Primary School, in Penwortham; Our Lady and St Gerard’s RC Primary School, in Lostock Hall; St Anne’s Catholic Primary, in Leyland; Rossall School, in Fleetwood; Burscough Lordsgate Township CE School and Padiham Green CE Primary School.
"This year’s performance was truly amazing and one which I’m sure the audience will remember for a very long time."
Preston Mayor Councillor Margaret McManus attended to celebrate the biggest Chinese festival with local residents and UCLan’s Chinese students. She gave a speech commenting on the great cultural contribution the UCLan Confucius Institute has made to the city. She was joined by the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Thomas whose speech highlighted 30 years of UCLan’s partnership with China.
The event was organised by the UCLan Confucius Institute. Director Feixia Yu said: “Every year we work very closely with the Chinese Embassy’s cultural section to ensure we can bring world-class Chinese performers to Preston to celebrate Chinese New Year. This year’s performance was truly amazing and one which I’m sure the audience will remember for a very long time.”
The Chongqing Chuanju Theatre troupe, which has received high acclaim from mainstream media such as the New York Times and Financial Times, will be performing in London’s Trafalgar Square at the weekend as part of their UK tour.
Visit the Flickr gallery to see the troupe preparing and performing.
