Joyous Chinese Culture Community Activities
The Tourism Confucius Institute (TCI) in Australia brought “nian wei” (Chinese New Year atmosphere) to
Brisbane and the Gold Coast through a variety of well-received events. Some of the activities included
helping facilitate the Confucius Statue unveiling in the Gold Coast’s Chinatown, leading calligraphy
workshops in a local library and hosting “Pengcheng Gourmet Comes to Australia”.
The TCI’s Chinese “Year of the Sheep” began with the Unveiling Ceremony in the Gold Coast’s Chinatown
on 23th January. The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane Dr. Zhao Yongche, Gold
Coast city mayor Tom Tate and the Gold Coast Chinatown chairman Mr. Ted Fong attended the event. Dr.
Zhao Yongchen said that “The prosperous development of Chinatown will promote economic and cultural
development between Australia and China”. In order to promote Chinatown, the Tourism Confucius
Institute also facilitated two cultural activities at local schools involving Beijing Opera mask painting and
panda lantern painting. All of the masks and lanterns were exhibited at the Chinese New Year gala in
Chinatown on 28 February.
Left to right: Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Council General of thePeople’s Republic of China Dr. Zhao Yongchen, Gold
Coast Chinatown Chainman Mr. Ted Fong（far right）at the Chinatown Confucius statue unveiling ceremony
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The New Year is traditionally a time to enjoy great food. From 8th to 14th February, the Tourism Confucius
Institute hosted two famous chefs from the Chinese historical and cultural city of Xu Zhou to prepare a
Pengcheng typical “New Year’s Reunion Feast” for political, business and educational personalities from
Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The “Pengcheng Gourmet Comes to Australia” at “Nest Restaurant” in
Brisbane, chefs’ featured exquisite and healthy cuisine and earned praise from the participating diners.
Many participants were amazed by the Pengcheng historical course featuring fish and lamb, and were
amazed by the story behind the dish.
Tourism Confucius Institute director Prof Leong Liew delivering his welcome speech for Chinese Gourmet Festival
Dumpling workshop
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The fish and lamb dish
Gourmet desserts
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Spring couplets are essential to celebrate Chinese New Year. During the Chinese calligraphy workshop at
the local community library teachers from the Tourism Confucius Institute taught participants how to write
Chinese spring couplets and “福” character.
Calligraphy workshop at the library
Calligraphy was also featured during the two day Sanctuary Cove Chinese New Year Cultural event, and
people crowded into the Tourism Confucius Institute’s calligraphy stall. They asked the teachers to write
their English names in Chinese Calligraphy together with New Year lucky wishes, and said they said they
would put them on their doors to celebrate a typical Chinese New Year. The most popular Sanctuary Cove
activities for children were sheep mask painting and lantern painting. The children also enjoyed the lion
dance while wearing their sheep masks and holding their lanterns. The little cute “sheep” added to the
festive atmosphere!
Sanctuary Cove activities
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The Tourism Confucius Institute and the Confucius Institute of Queensland University formed a
“Cheongsam Team” that marched during Brisbane’s annual Chinese New Year parade on 28 February:
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The Tourism Confucius Institute also cooperated with the Chinese Association to organise a Chinese New
Year gala performed by the Sichuan province opera department:
The colourful Chinese cultural activities organised by the Tourism Confucius Institute enabled many
Australians to experience an authentic Chinese New Year atmosphere. We are already looking forward to
next year’s celebration of “The Year of the Monkey”
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