China Festival
Confucius Institute hosts Newcastle's first China Festival
The Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle will host Newcastle's first China Festival on Sunday 1 September and Monday 2 September at the University's Callaghan Campus.
The two-day event, which is open to the public, will be a vibrant cultural experience full of free, fun and fascinating performances, demonstrations and hands-on workshops.
Sunday 1 September, from 10am to 2pm, will be a free, family-friendly day with activities being held outside the University's Auchmuty Library. Highlights will include live cooking shows by celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow of Poh's Kitchen and MasterChef Australia, plus Chinese Lion Dancing, martial arts displays and chopstick competitions. Chinese Language, Calligraphy, Tai Chi and Chinese Opera face painting workshops will also be held. The Giant Panda and the Chinese Fortune God will be popular with all the kids – big and small.
"It will be an exciting and fun-filled way to celebrate Father's Day," said Rhys Palmer, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle.
The second day of the China Festival, while still open to the public, will be more focused on providing a fun and educational day for school and university students. More than 350 primary and middle school students from eight Newcastle schools will be attending alongside 200 university students.
The 2012 Young Australian of the Year, Marita Cheng, will give two inspirational talks about her inspiring career and life experiences. Marita has been recognised by the Sandbox Network as one of the top achievers under the age of 30, and by Youth Service America as one of the 25 Most Powerful and Influential Young people in the World. Marita is the Founder and Executive Director of Robogals Global, serves as a Board Member for the Foundation for Young Australians, speaks English, Cantonese and Japanese and is an exciting and engaging speaker.
The China Festival will be a unique cultural event in Newcastle, designed to celebrate Chinese traditional and contemporary culture, increase understanding of China in the local community, and encourage cultural interaction among students, staff and the community.
The China festival is presented by the Confucius Institute at the University of Newcastle in partnership with UoN Services and in association with the Newcastle Chapter of the Australia China Youth Association.
For more information about the China Festival, please call the Confucius Institute at 4985 4360, or visit www.chinafestival.com.au.
Contact
- Sharon Buckland, Media and Public Relations
- Phone: +61 2 4985 4049
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