NCI activities at Wonder 2019: 'amazing!'

24/6/2019

On Saturday 15th June Nottingham Confucius Institute (NCI) joined departments from all over the University for ‘Wonder’, the University’s largest community engagement event with hundreds of free activities designed to inspire curious minds of all ages.

NCI took residence in a large seminar room in the Engineering and Science Learning Centre, with its ‘China Corner’ designed to cater for a broad range of interest in Chinese culture. The day opened with a two-hour drop-in arts and crafts session in the morning. A variety of activities were offered, ranging from origami and mask making to colouring and panda painting. This was followed by a traditional Chinese music performance, where three musicians introduced and played traditional Chinese musical instruments including Guzheng, Pipa and Bamboo Flute, mesmerizing the audience for a full hour. In the afternoon, two Chinese brush painting workshops were delivered, where a professional artist taught participants how to paint stunning pictures of pandas and bamboo.

All of the day’s activities were very popular with crowds of people actively taking part. The two brush painting workshops were so popular that people started queuing up for the 30 available places well before the start of each session. Several children and their parents expressed how delighted they were to be able to create a work of art – one they had no idea they’d be able to do - within a fun-packed hour at the workshop. A great deal of requests for similar opportunities were received during the sessions!  Many attendees at the music performance used the word ‘amazing’ to describe the rich and beautiful new sounds the Chinese musicians brought to the event – the looks on the audience faces as they listened were a delight!  

With a dedicated effort from NCI staff and volunteers, the China Corner ran from 10:30 to 16:30 with hundreds of local residents and children taking part. Many thanked NCI for providing a fascinating glimpse into Chinese culture. It was a very special day for all involved, with a great sense of inspiration and purpose in enhancing understanding and encouraging interest in our culture among young and old.

~ENDS~