On January 28th and 29th, UL Global celebrated the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Snake with the entire campus community. The Globe was adorned with vibrant decorations and rich colours associated with this auspicious festival, creating an atmosphere of joy and festivity.
Day 1: Cultural Workshops
The celebrations commenced in The Globe with a captivating calligraphy workshop hosted by UL Japanese colleagues Akie Nagahashi and Kaori Frizelle, along with students Ben Murphy and Vipasha Tare. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the origins of this ancient art and practice delicate brush movements before completing their names in elegant script. This immersive experience allowed attendees to appreciate the depth and precision required in traditional calligraphy.
Later in the afternoon, another exciting workshop was conducted by the Hunt Museum, Limerick, where students learned the intricate art of Chinese lantern making. The results were breathtaking, as students crafted delicate, colourful lanterns that added to the festive ambiance of the celebrations. These workshops provided an enriching cultural experience, allowing students to engage deeply with the traditions of the Lunar New Year.
Day 2: A Spectacular Lunar New Year Showcase
The second day of celebrations reached its peak with a magnificent Lunar New Year showcase attended by a large gathering of students and staff from across the campus. The event featured an array of Chinese foods, snacks, and fortune cookies, offering attendees a taste of traditional festive delicacies.
The highlight of the day was a dazzling one-hour Lunar New Year Gala Performance, presented by talented UL students from China. The lineup included a variety of cultural performances that enthralled the audience with their artistic excellence and cultural depth.
Lunar New Year Gala Performance Running Order:
- Choir Performance – 合唱《我和我的祖国》
- Xiaofeng Yan (MA Dance Performance), Gan Xiao (PhD in AHSS), and Yuanyuan Chen (MSc AI and Machine Learning) opened the showcase with a moving rendition of "My Motherland and Me," setting a heartfelt and patriotic tone for the event.
- Irish Dance – 爱尔兰踢踏舞
- A unique fusion of cultures was displayed as Niri (MA Song Writing), Ben King (BA World Music), and Eilidh Pope (BA World Music) performed an exhilarating Irish dance routine, celebrating the intercultural spirit of UL Global.
- Gu Qin Performance – 古琴 《酒狂》
- Xin Zheng (PhD in KBS) mesmerized the audience with an exquisite Gu Qin performance of "Drunken Ecstasy," a traditional Chinese melody known for its deep, emotional resonance.
- Dance Group Performance – 舞蹈串烧 《万象和韵. 共舞映华》
- A dynamic dance group featuring Yaqian Liu, Lu Han, Emily Lin (all MA Dance Performance), and guest performer Miki Cai captivated the audience with a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary Chinese dance forms.
- Singing Performance – 女生合唱，吉他配乐《Suilaruin》
- A touching vocal performance of "Suilaruin" was delivered by Niri, Camille (MA Song Writing), and Deep (MA Communication), accompanied by guitar, blending Western and Chinese musical traditions beautifully.
- Solo Dance Performance – 独舞《炫舞迎春》
- Miki Cai took the stage for a breathtaking solo dance, "Radiant Dance to Welcome Spring," embodying grace and festivity in every movement.
- Solo Singing Performance – 独唱《月亮代表我的心》，《The Power of Love》
- Gan Xiao delighted the audience with a heartfelt rendition of "The Moon Represents My Heart" and "The Power of Love," showcasing her vocal prowess.
- Singing Duet with Gongfu Dance – 男女生对唱，舞蹈《精忠报国》
- The final act featured a powerful duet performed by Xiaofeng Yan and Yuanyuan Chen, accompanied by a stunning Gongfu dance by Miki Cai, paying tribute to legendary Chinese heroism.
The Lunar New Year Gala Performance truly embodied the rich cultural heritage and talent within the UL community. The event was not only a celebration of Chinese traditions but also a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering intercultural exchange and appreciation. As the celebrations concluded, students and staff left with fond memories of an event that deepened their understanding of Lunar New Year traditions while strengthening connections within the diverse university community. The Year of the Snake was ushered in with joy, artistry, and a shared spirit of unity, making the Lunar New Year 2025 at UL Global a resounding success. UL Global would like to thank Yi Bao, China Director, UL Japanese Department, The Hunt Museum, Mr. Colm McGettrick, CSIS and Dr Alan Dormer, IWAMD for technical Support and of course our outstanding Students for their memorable performances.