On September 24^th, USTB-DMU Confucius Institute (CI) co-hosted a two-hour celebration of Confucius Institute Day with partners at Green Dragon Square in downtown Leicester.

The CI’s new group of volunteer teachers arrived well before 9:00 at the Square in brand-new silky Tai Chi suits. Sifu Derek Frearson, head of International Taijiquan and Shaolin Wushu Association, came with his disciples and students, followed by local martial arts lovers in various special costumes. They all brought with them banners, flags, fans and various props for martial arts demonstrations and lion dance performances.

This is an ongoing programme in the city centre for more than five years.

The celebration kicked off with a 40 people demonstration of Yang's 21-style Tai Chi, one of the styles taught by Sifu Derek in the CI’s free Saturday Morning Tai Chi sessions at the Square for 6 years. It has been the CI’s commitment to the UN-SDG-3: “Good health & well-being.” The group Tai Chi was followed by the wonderful lion dance to the music of the festive drum, gongs, and cymbals, which was applauded by a large crowd of viewers.

Then a wonderful variety of martial arts performances was staged, including three-section cudgel, sword dance, knife dance, China-boxing ( sanda ), etc. Each move and style showed the charm of traditional Chinese martial arts, especially when they were performed by local British friends. A great glamour of the combination of Chinese and Western cultures! The local Chinese Elderly Club also offered a folk fan dance and Yang's 41 style Tai Chi.

The group Taiji Fan dance performed by the CI volunteers showed the charm of traditional Chinese culture — an elegant combination of toughness and softness, which won repeated applause and cheers from the audience. In addition, a CI teacher performed a Chinese folk solo dance “Fen Mo”. The elegant flow of each move showed vividly the rhythmic beauty of the dancer and was greatly praised by the audience. Finally, all the performers joined hands for an ethnic dance of the Chinese Yi people, bringing the celebration to a climax.

Towards the end of the two-hour celebration, Dr. YANG Yingjun, Chinese Director of the CI, thanked all the performers and audience on behalf of the CI, inviting them back next Saturday the 1^st of October for the celebration of China’s National Day. The Chinese and the locals concluded the event by saying in unison — “Upholding the beauty of diverse civilizations in the world could bring about a wonderful and colorful future. Best wishes for the success of the global celebrations of the 2022 Confucius Institute Day!”

Draft: YANG Yingjun

Revision: YANG Yingjun