Established in 2011, the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle is part of a wider global Confucius Institute Network within the education sector. Supported by our partner “Central China Normal University” in Wuhan, P.R. China, the Institute is dedicated to developing a range of initiatives to facilitate learning of Chinese language and culture.

It is the leading provider in delivering top quality Chinese language programs within the local Newcastle and Central Coast region.

As part of the University’s Global Engagement and Partnerships division, the Institute plays a key role in enhancing the University’s educational and cultural exchange with China.


“East Meets West Exhibition 2024” Is On

It is exciting and exquisite! “East Meets West” Painting Exhibition 2024 is now on our doorstep and not to be missed. This exhibition will be held at the Hunter Wetlands Centre (HWC) from the 2nd of February to the 29th of February 2024. It is based on the themes of the wetlands conservation and education, and the celebration of the Year of the Wood Dragon. This is a unique occasion to shine light on the hidden talents in our region who are gifted with such artistic flair and creativity. This may also well be a treasure hunt as some of the paintings are from well-established Sydney-based Chinese artists. Hope to see you there! Happy Year of the Wood Dragon!

EMW Group Show

View "East Meets West Exhibition 2024 " Is On


The Year of the Wood Dragon

The Chinese New Year will fall on the 10th of February in 2024. To celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dragon (Wood is the element this year), CI teachers have produced a “behind-the-scenes” video of the dragon dance competition at Central China Normal University. This article also highlights the diverse interpretations of the origin and cultural significance of the dragon.

The Year of the Wood Dragon

View The Year of the Wood Dragon


Dance: Lilong Life – The Old Shanghai

Dancing to the theme song of an award-wining film “Song of The Fisherman”, the dancers present a peaceful yet vivid scene in the lilong residence. “Lilong” (Chinese:里弄; Pinyin: lǐ lòng) is referred to the centuries-old street communities in Shanghai that are connected by laneways. In this performance, the incorporation of those oriental vibes such as cheongsams, cattail fans, and wooden stools have brought out the 1930s old Shanghai charm.

Image for Dance Lilong Life - The Old Shanghai

View Dance: Lilong Life - The Old Shanghai


All about the Moon: Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival will fall on the 29th of September in 2023. To celebrate this occasion, CI student Elizabeth Smyth delivered a famous Chinese love song “The Moon Represents My Heart” through her exceptional singing talent. CI teachers and CCNU’s international students also took us shopping for mooncakes in Wuhan. Happy Mooncake Festival!

Shopping for Mooncakes

View All about the Moon: Mid-Autumn Festival


The Moon of Yangtze: a nostalgic song of home

Appreciating the beauty of the moon of Yangtze or Long River (Chinese: 长江; Pinyin: cháng jiāng), this award-winning song brings us to a village on the bank of Yangtze to find serenity and solace. The song embraces the value of family bond and highlights the Yangtze people’s deep attachment to their homeland.

The Moon of Yangtze

View The Moon of Yangtze: a nostalgic song of home

CI Got Talents: Rap Song About Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival will fall on the 22nd of June in 2023. CI is presenting a traditional poem and a rap song - a modern twist to celebrate this special occasion. Our talented CI teacher, Sasa retold the legendary origin of this festival in a creative rhythmic vocal style. With the help of Pinyin and the English translation, you may even be able to rap along too. Please enjoy!

Dragon-boat-festival

View CI Got Talents: Rap Song About Dragon Boat Festival

“East Meets West” Exhibition: Calling for Your Artwork!

The Confucius Institute (CI) at the University of Newcastle together with the Hunter Wetlands Centre (HWC) will be holding the “East Meets West” painting exhibition in 2024. We aim to bring to our community the appreciation of combining Chinese and western painting styles and techniques in the artwork. This exhibition will take place at the HWC between Friday, 2 February and Thursday, 29 February 2024 as part of the Chinese New Year celebration (Year of the Wood Dragon).

Chinese painting is an ancient art with high expression and imagination to interpret the philosophy of harmony with nature. Its styles can be vastly different from those of western paintings. However, a fusion of “East Meets West” by adopting both Chinese and western painting techniques can be very exciting. This exhibition is a collaboration between CI and the HWC “for our community” and “from our community” with a focus on nature.

We are now inviting our community to enter their artwork for exhibition and sale based on the theme choices of “wetland wildlife”, “wetland landscape”, and “dragon”. A small fraction of the proceeds from the successful artwork sale will go to support the HWC’s mission of wildlife conservation and education. The remaining proceeds will be fully returned to the participants.

An image of a vibrant Chinese-style dragon with raised surfaces, depicted in a flat two-dimensional form. The dragon's body is curved, with a long and sinuous neck, and it is depicted in vibrant shades of red, gold, and green. The scales and other details of the dragon's body are raised, giving the impression of a textured surface. The dragon's head is adorned with large, expressive eyes, a sharp snout, and a mane of flowing hair. The overall effect is one of dynamic movement and energy, capturing the essence of this legendary creature in a visually striking way.

Image credit: Fan Dongwang, Dragon, 180x180cm, acrylic on canvas

For comprehensive information about the exhibition and registration

Click here


Dong Dance: Sa Ye

Inspired by the daily life of the Dong ethnic minority, the students at Central China Normal University (CCNU) performed this dance to celebrate the Dong people’s passion for their ancestral legends and optimistic spirit. The creative use of the umbrellas effortlessly integrates the Dong cultural characteristics into those elegant movements.

dong dance se ya

View Sa Ye

Free Chinese Painting Workshop: Birds In Wetlands

In collaboration with Dr Fan Dongwang, an award-winning artist, the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle (CI) provides our local community with a precious opportunity to learn Chinese painting free-of-charge. The participants will also get to keep a complimentary Chinese paint brush and receive another beautiful surprise gift at the conclusion of the workshop.

This 2-hour workshop aims to equip participants with basic knowledge and techniques of Chinese painting.

The workshop participants may later consider entering their paintings for sale in the “East Meets West Painting Exhibition” in February 2024 to celebrate the “Year of the Wood Dragon” and support the Hunter Wetlands Centre’s mission of wildlife conservation and education. Please watch this space for more information to come.

Chinese painting techniques are unique and expressive, please check out this video:https://www.instagram.com/p/CVuEoYmBJ8S/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Free Chinese painting workshops

To find more details about the workshop and exhibition, please visit our webpage


Uyghur Dance: The Girl of Daban City

This performance showcases Uyghur’s unique dance and music traditions that are influenced by Persian and Arabic cultures. Borrowing the name of a well-known Uyghur folk song, the dance celebrates the youthful vitality of Uyghur girls.

Uyghur Dancers on stage

View The Girl of Daban City

The Mid-Autumn Festival: Celebrating the Mandala of the Sky

Originated from China’s ancient celestial worship of a full moon that is typically anticipated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese: 中秋节; pinyin: zhōng qiū jié) will fall on the 10th of September in 2022. This festival traditionally celebrates the end of the autumn harvest dated all the way back during the Zhou Dynasty (1046 to 256 B.C.). It is also referred as the "Moon Festival” or “Mooncake Festival” that families and friends will get together for dinners, moon-worship, lantern displays, and eating moon cakes, etc.

“The full Moon - the mandala of the sky”. Tom Robbins

The moon behind a Chinese building at night

(Image sourced from https://sites.google.com/site/thedessertaffairs)

To learn more about the origins, legends and poems related to this festival

Click here

Mongolian Dance: Sunrise in the East

Adopted from the Mongolian folk dance and inspired by their sun worship culture, this dance performance “Sunrise in the East” (Chinese: 日出东方; pinyin: rì chū dōng fāng) pays tributes to the Mongolian people’s nomadic heritage and reverence for nature.

Image of the Mongolian Dance, Sunrise in the East.

View Sunrise in the East


Dragon Boat Festival: More than just dragon boat racing

Always on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, the Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu (Chinese: 端午; pinyin: duānwǔ) will fall on the 3rd of June this year. It is one of the most important festivals in China together with Chinese Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. In 2009, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included the Dragon Boat Festival in its “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.

Drawing of a dragon

To learn more about the customs and activities of Duanwu celebration and the stories of its origin,

Click here

A Crane Dancing in the Breeze: Cherishing Nature and Serenity

This dance performance of “A Crane Dancing in the Breeze (鹤舞清风hè wǔ qīng fēng)” is more than just an echo of our 2020 online photo exhibition Love between two Cranes. It celebrates the harmony with nature and the pursuit of joy in life and serenity from our environment.

A Crane Dancing in the Breeze

View A Crane Dancing in the Breeze


Happy New Year! May the Year of the Tiger bring you good luck and strength

Happy Chinese new year

Chinese Lunar New Year “the Year of the Tiger” will fall between the 1st February 2022 and the 21st January 2023. “Tiger” (hǔ) comes third in the 12-cycle of the Chinese zodiac after Ox and before Rabbit. There are also five elements (wood, fire, metal, earth, and water) in the cycle. This year will be the Year of the Water Tiger which symbolises strength, power, and open-to-change.

To celebrate, from all of us at Confucius Institute:

Wishing you a happy new year (祝你新年快乐zhù nǐ xīn nián kuài lè),

Good luck in the Year of the Tiger (虎年大吉hǔ nián dà jí), and

Strength and resilience in the Year of the Tiger (虎虎生威hǔ hǔ shēng wēi)!

To learn more about the traditions and customs of celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year

Click here


Rhythm of the Lotus in Ink: Starting 2022 with a Dance on Rejuvenation

CI would like to share the dance performance of “Rhythm of the Lotus in Ink” which presents a fascinating display of the life cycle of a lotus flower: from blooming, withering to rebirth. We hope the performance can help you reflect, refresh and renew for 2022.

View Rhythm of the Lotus in Ink

Greetings from Central China Normal University Tiankong Choir

While we are adapting to living in a COVID world, CI would like to bring to you a series of world-class choral performance videos over the coming months that are supported by our partner university, CCNU. May you be filled with joy and strength!

Mr Tian

View Tiankong Choir Performance


Newcastle China Week 2020

Part I: Love Between Two Cranes

Dream Crane Garden Exhibition

Part II: Love from our Shared World

Volunteer for Love

View China Week Exhibition (Part I and Part II)