News Releases

2nd Confucius Institute Day promotes understanding and diversity of Chinese culture

For Release Upon Receipt - September 18, 2015

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. September 16, 2015 – Chinese culture is so much more than its well-known cuisine. The word calligraphy, not by any means a Chinese one, carries a sense of China with it, simply because its association with China is so embedded in our minds.   

The cuisine, the craft, the martial arts; they are all on display on Saturday 26 September at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain when the Confucius Institute at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St Augustine Campus hosts the 2nd annual Confucius Institute Day 2015.  

The global institution of the Confucius Institute is celebrating its 11th anniversary, and the celebration of this event is the Confucius Institute Day. Locally, this will take the form of an all-day (10am to 4pm), free to all (there is no admission charge), series of events at the Savannah. Here is a snapshot of some of the new activities planned:  

Time-Travel Snapshot: Want to see yourself as an ancient Chinese soldier or empress? Come to this tent and get a Time-Travel Snapshot of yourself, plus a souvenir bookmark with information about your chosen character. 

Chinese Calligraphy and Painting: At this tent you can try your hand at Chinese painting or calligraphy. You can practice on the magic water writing cloth, and take home your own artwork. 

Mandarin Taster Class: In the 15 to 20-minute Mandarin Taster Class with our instructor from China, you will learn simple words and phrases in Mandarin Chinese, and then progress to a short dialogue. You could even win a prize. 

Tai Chi Demo: Learn Chinese martial arts or tai chi in an hour-long group session with an experienced teacher, then move to the stage and show off your new skills. Sessions held every hour on the hour. 

Chinese Food Demo: Tantalize your taste buds with authentic Chinese cuisine. Participants can taste the diversity of Chinese food that they are not accustomed to. 

Message Wall: Did you enjoy yourself today? Here you can leave us a message, comment, drawing, or anything you like. Our instructor can teach you how to write your message in Chinese so you can write it on the wall. 

Mini Movie Theatre: Want to know more about China? Come to the movie theatre to enjoy short clips about China’s rich and diverse culture and history, which dates back to over 5,000 years ago! 

The Confucius Institute at The UWI St Augustine Campus, is one of more than 400 of these unique non-profit public institutions established by the Office of Chinese Language Council International (HANBAN) for the promotion of Chinese language and culture. It was established at the campus in 2013. For more information on the day of celebration, the work or facilities of the Institute can contact the Institute at 662-2002 ext. 83213.

 

End 

 

About The UWI

Since its inception in 1948, The University of the West Indies (UWI) has evolved from a fledgling college in Jamaica with 33 students to a full-fledged, regional University with well over 40,000 students. Today, UWI is the largest, most longstanding higher education provider in the Commonwealth Caribbean, with four campuses in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Open Campus. The UWI has faculty and students from more than 40 countries and collaborative links with 160 universities globally; it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology and Social Sciences. UWI’s seven priority focal areas are linked closely to the priorities identified by CARICOM and take into account such over-arching areas of concern to the region as environmental issues, health and wellness, gender equity and the critical importance of innovation. Website: www.uwi.edu  

(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)

 

 

Contact