Main Headline UTM Life

Lunar New Year activities promote among IFTM students the cultural heritage of China

中文摘要 / Summary in Chinese

IFTM recently hosted a number of celebratory activities to usher in the Chinese New Year, a holiday period also known as the Lunar New Year. The events aimed to generate a festive ambience within the Institute, and promote among students the cultural heritage of China.

Chinese New Year fell on 12 February this year.

The series of activities started in late January, with both IFTM campuses adorned with traditional lanterns to welcome the Year of the Ox, the fresh lunar year’s designation under the Chinese zodiac. The lanterns featured traditional riddles, promoting seasonal customs and traditions.

IFTM also held a workshop for students to master how to produce ‘fai chun’, traditional red banners used as a New Year festive decoration. Participants learned how to produce couplets in traditional style, to make their own ‘fai chun’ conveying blessings to family members and friends.

Additionally as part of the celebrations, the Institute held a cartoon-themed rice dumpling workshop, teaching participants how to make dumplings shaped as their favourite cartoon characters, all in a fun and friendly setting. The interest in this workshop was so overwhelming that one extra workshop session had to be arranged.

The Institute also arranged for some students to produce a video for the Chinese New Year. It expressed to members of the IFTM community wishes for good health and prosperity, thus promoting a harmonious on-campus atmosphere.

In response to advice from authorities on the Mainland and in the Macao SAR that people should avoid travelling for purposes of family reunion during the holiday, the Institute put on alternative festive activities for those students staying at the IFTM Hostel during the Chinese New Year period.

Shortly before Chinese New Year Eve, representatives from IFTM’s management took part in a special ‘reunion dinner’ for those at the hostel. That was followed by New Year greetings and the handing out of festive lucky bags on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Students unable to go home for a family reunion had the chance, thanks to those IFTM events, to feel the warmth and blessings of the festive season.

The celebratory activities not only promoted a festive atmosphere at the Institute, but also reinforced students’ understanding regarding the significance of traditional Chinese culture, contributing to IFTM’s work to promote national education.