On Thursday, January 23, the Confucius Institute of Chulalongkorn University celebrated the Chinese Year of the rat. The event started with opening addresses by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Associate Professor Suradech Chotiudompant and Former Minister of Education, Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech. The opening was followed by performances from the Faculty’s Chinese majors which included a group singing of Tian Mimi and a Chinese opera skid Guifeizuijiu. The celebration ended with lucky draws.
In addition to the above activities, the participants also got to enjoy delicious Chinese dumplings and snacks, trying on traditional Chinese clothing, and hands-on workshops for Chinese mask paintings and Chinese Calligraphy 福(fu). The event was made colorful with students and staff wearing vibrant Chinese traditional costumes.
This year, the Lunar New Year falls on January 25-31. To celebrate the New Year, the Chinese people visit families and friends and wish one another a Happy New Year. Children receive cash gifts wrapped in red envelopes. In Northern China, dumplings are the New Year treat, whereas in Southern China, glutinous rice cakes are popular.
CICU was established jointly with Peking University to create and offer educational programs in Chinese language and culture. The CICU provides high quality Chinese language instruction, training, and workshops on relevant issues and topics that will foster the cultural exchange and friendship between China and Thailand. https://www.chula.ac.th/en/academic/confucius-institute-of-chulalongkorn-university/