Organised by Queen’s Chinese students and alumni, this concert is a community-oriented cultural initiative designed to foster diversity, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue in Northern Ireland. As the Chinese community represents one of the largest cultural groups in Northern Ireland, the concert also responds to their need for collective expression and connection, particularly for students and residents who may experience isolation or homesickness.
This concert project supports civic engagement by providing an accessible platform where local and international communities can come together to experience Chinese cultural heritage. Aligned with the principle that “music knows no borders”, the concert contributes to cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and the creation of more inclusive civic spaces. It directly supports institutional priorities in widening participation, celebrating cultural diversity, and strengthening community cohesion.
The concert presents Chinese classical poetry through art songs accompanied by piano and guzheng, bringing Eastern and Western musical traditions into conversation.
Queen’s students and staff members, as well as members of the public, are all welcome to sign up for the concert. Places are limited and tickets will be issued on a first-come-first-serve basis. To register, please either click the button below, or scan the QR code above.
Despite a busy – and perhaps slightly tedious – November filled with deadlines and submissions, the Chinese community at Queen’s, including both scholars and students, continues to bring campus life to full vigor and vitality.
This month, two academic seminars are scheduled, and we warmly invite you to attend and take part in these stimulating academic dialogues.
Seminar 1
Ni Yang, PhD student from School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, will present ‘1976-1995: The Intersection of Urbanisation and Artistic Liberation in China: Beijing East Village’ at the History Seminar.
This seminar examines Beijing East Village (1992–1995) as a unique outcome of China’s post-Mao transformation, set against the backdrop of urban restructuring, market reforms, and shifting cultural policies. Following the end of the Cultural Revolution and the ideological thaw of the 1980s, Beijing underwent rapid urbanisation, the demolition of traditional neighbourhoods, expansion of infrastructure, and emergence of informal ‘urban villages’ on the city’s periphery. In these liminal zones, beyond full state control, artists forged new spaces for experimentation. East Village became a focal point where figures such as Rong Rong, Lü Nan, Zhang Huan, and Ma Liuming developed radical performance and photographic works that challenged social norms and redefined artistic freedom. Through case studies including 12 Square Metres, Fen-Ma Liuming’s Lunch, and To Add One Metre to an Anonymous Mountain, this seminar explores how photography mediated between transient performances and enduring cultural memory, amplifying their impact across domestic and international contexts. Situating East Village within the broader currents of economic reform, spatial politics, and cultural negotiation, it reconsiders the role of art in documenting, critiquing, and shaping a rapidly transforming society.
Ni Yang is a PhD student specialising in the intersection of history and photography, examining how images both document and shape historical change. His doctoral research investigates the cultural, political, and urban transformations of post-Mao China, analysing how photography operates as a medium for recording social realities, constructing public memory, and negotiating cultural identity. By situating photographic practice within the broader historical currents of reform, urbanisation, and shifting cultural policy, his work reveals the complex interplay between visual culture and the lived experience of historical transition.
Refreshments, drinks, and snacks will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
Seminar 2
Dr Zi Yang, on behalf of the Private and Commercial Research Cluster, warmly invites you to join the research seminar with Professor Xiahong Chen, a visiting scholar from China University of Political Science and Law, on Tuesday 18th November in Board Room 2 (MST / 08 /014), School of Law.
Professor Xiahong Chen is Research Fellow at the Bankruptcy Law & Restructuring Research Centre of the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) and Senior Editor and Director of the Journal of CUPL (core comprehensive academic journal in China). He is an internationally recognised scholar of bankruptcy and insolvency law, with over 18 books and numerous impactful articles in leading journals, including Annotations to the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law (Peking University Press 2021) and Notes on Bankruptcy Law (Law Press 2021). His research has been translated internationally, and he is a member of INSOL Europe, INSOL International, and the American Bankruptcy Institute. The talk with focus on China’s recent Insolvency Law reform.
Refreshments, drinks, and snacks will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
On Friday, 3 October, despite the adverse weather conditions, the Mid-Autumn Festival and Welcome Event went ahead as planned, bringing together over 50 students, staff (including visiting scholars), and community partners in the McClay Library Auditorium. The celebration featured live music, cultural displays, talks, and refreshments, all showcasing the vibrancy and inclusiveness of Queen’s community.
Decoration with mooncakes and flowers
Decoration with mooncakes and flowers
The event opened with a captivating guzheng performance of Moon Rising High by PhD candidate Li Fei, setting a graceful tone for the afternoon’s celebration of community and civic engagement.
Welcoming guzheng music by LI Fei
Welcoming guzheng music by LI Fei
Jointly organised by The Language Centre and iRise (BAME&I) Staff Network, the event featured welcoming remarks from Thomas (Language Centre Manager) and Bee-Yen (Senior Lecturer, School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Co-Chair of iRise), who both reflected on the cultural importance of celebrating diversity at Queen’s. Mórrigan (Student Officer for Accessible Education) and Claudia (Chair of the International Students’ Association) also spoke, introducing the roles of the Queen’s Students’ Union in supporting a student body representing over 80 countries and regions.
Welcome by Thomas Smith, Language Centre Manager
Welcome by Dr Bee-Yen Toh, iRise Staff Network co-chair
Welcome by Mórrigan McEvoy, Student Officer Accessible Education
Welcome by Claudia Liu, Chair of International Students’ Association
Dr Liang Wang shared greetings from both local and international participants, including a surprise message from Queen’s University, Canada, and highlighted a series of successful student- and staff-led projects in line with the Cultural Diversity Scheme at Queen’s in recent years. He also invited attendees to take part in the new round of upcoming activities. Special thanks were given to student volunteer Shiuh Ting Gho, who delighted participants with beautifully written calligraphy pieces of traditional festival greetings.
Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations at Queen’s
Introduction to Mid-Autumn Festival
Greetings from the participants
Greetings from the participants
Greeting from a special guest from Queen’s University in Canada
Calligraphy display from Shiuh Ting Gho
Highlight 1 – Journal of Eutopia Art and Culture
Highlight 1 – Journal of Eutopia Art and Culture
Highlight 2 – Taste of the World: A Journey Through Food and Culture
Highlight 2 – Taste of the World: A Journey Through Food and Culture
Highlight 3 – QUB DEIB Forum
Highlight 4 – Bridges to China Project
In the cultural display segment, Li Fei further demonstrated her artistry through a traditional tea and incense ceremony, showcasing the elegance and mindfulness of Chinese cultural practices. Attendees showed great enthusiasm, enjoying both the demonstration and a taste of freshly brewed Chinese tea.
The afternoon concluded with networking, mooncake tasting, and refreshments, leaving everyone with warm smiles and shared appreciation for Queen’s commitment to cultural diversity and inclusion.
Hello September, we hope all will settle in quickly and have a great start!
With the start of the new academic year, we are delighted to host a special welcome event that brings together staff and students to connect, share knowledge, and celebrate intercultural experiences. This gathering marks the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time of reunion and appreciation, with the chance to enjoy mooncakes and experience cultural performances. We warmly invite all students and staff to join us for this festive celebration at Queen’s!
Date: Friday 3rd October 2025 Time: 13:30 – 16:00 Venue: Auditorium, The McClay Library
Due to limited capacity of the room and high demand, we are only able to accommodate up to 50 people, on a first-come-first-serve basis. People who are informed on a waiting list will be contacted if vacancies appear.
We hope you will enjoy the event!
Call for volunteers
We are looking for talented students and staff members to volunteer for our Chinese language and cultural events at Queen’s. It could be in the form of a variety of cultural performances, or language/culture-related topics and skills, and is open to both Chinese-speaking and non-Chinese speaking volunteers.
We look forward to working with you in our future events.
Melodies of the Chinese Zither and the Perfume of Books 琴韵书香迎端午 Friday 30th May 2025 13:00 – 15:00 Auditorium, The McClay Library
Speaker/Performer:
Wei DENG (邓维), QUB alumna from School of Arts, English and Languages
Chen GAO (高宸), visiting PhD candidate at School of Arts, English and Languages, from Minzu University of China
Outline:
This special forum consists of two sections.
In the first half, Wei will introduce her proposed project with Ludo Dao CIC which is committed to exploring the development of an intercultural approach to musical performance, focusing on the dialogue between the Chinese traditional guzheng and Northern Irish musical instruments. She will also perform selected guzheng pieces live and warmly invites local musicians — from Queen’s and beyond — to join in this intercultural exchange through music.
In the second half, Chenwill present an introduction to the Siku Quanshu (《四库全书》), the monumental imperial collection that has recently been shelved in Queen’s McClay Library. Focusing on its compilation process and the discernment of scholarly traditions, Chen will explore both the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the Complete Library of the Four Repertoires.
Happy International Dance Day! 国际舞蹈日快乐 (Guójì Wǔdǎo Rì kuàilè)！
International Dance Day, celebrated globally on the 29th of April every year since 1982, is an annual celebration of how dancing positively impacts our lives.
Click to read more about International Dance Day
In 1982 the Dance Committee of ITI founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th April, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet. The intention of the International Dance Day Message is to celebrate dance, revel in the universality of this art form, cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers, and bring people together with a common language – dance.
On this special day, we are pleased to invite Liu Ningning (刘宁宁), a first-year PhD student in Law at Queen’s, to share her life with dancing, in particular, her experience with the QUB Dance Club.
Being part of the QUB Dance team has been one of the best decisions I have made since arriving in Belfast. It reminded me that pursuing academic excellence and personal passions can go hand-in-hand, and that life at Queen’s is full of wonderful opportunities to connect, challenge yourself, and grow.
When I began my PhD journey at Queen’s last September, I was determined not only to immerse myself in academic life but also to contribute actively to the vibrant community here. As a first-year PhD student at the School of Law under a DfE scholarship, I was honoured to be elected as the PhD Student Representative on the Doctoral Studies Committee. Yet another important and unexpected chapter unfolded beyond the library and lecture halls — through dance.
Click to read more about Ningning’s academic background
Ningning Liu, a commercial lawyer with a Juris Master degree from Fudan University and a BA in German Language and Literature from Tongji University, has been awarded the prestigious AHSS International DfE Award. Ningning will begin her PhD at the School of Law, focusing on women’s rights to political participation in modern China — specifically in Shanghai from the 1840s to the 1940s — and seeks to draw lessons for women’s empowerment today. Her research addresses critical questions about the role of women in shaping the legislative, political, and social landscapes in modern Shanghai, and the lasting impact of their political engagement on China and beyond. (Source: QUB School of Law)
After successfully passing a competitive audition, I became an active member of the QUB Dance Club, being the only international, Asian, and PhD student among a team primarily composed of undergraduates. It since has been an unforgettable and transformative experience for me.
Throughout the year, alongside my academic progress, I devoted many evenings and weekends to rehearsals, participated in major fundraising events such as So You Think You Can Dance and QUB Strictly Come Dancing (where we raised over £1,200 for charity in total!), and proudly represented Queen’s at national dance competitions in Leeds and Liverpool. One of the highlights was when our team won 2nd place in the Advanced Hip-Hop category — a moment that filled me with pride, not just for myself, but for everyone who had worked tirelessly alongside me.
Liu Ningning (centre) at dance with her teammates (Photo credit: by Jordan, QUB Dance Team)
Coming from Shanghai, I have been dancing hip-hop for around five years. For me, dance is not just a hobby — it is a part of who I am. I was thrilled to find that even during my intense PhD life, I could continue this passion at Queen’s. In fact, dance has made me more energetic, better at time management, and even more focused on my research. My supervisors have been incredibly supportive, and I am deeply grateful for their encouragement.
Of course, this journey was not without its challenges. As the only international and PhD member of the team, I initially found it demanding to adjust to the fast-paced, competitive environment dominated by undergraduates. I needed to develop greater flexibility in my approach to teamwork, quickly learn new choreography, and adapt to the group’s dynamic performance style. I actively sought feedback from more experienced teammates, spent additional hours practicing, and carefully analysed recorded performances to identify areas for improvement. Gradually, I adapted my style to align more closely with the team’s approach while also introducing elements of my own background in dance to add creative variety. These experiences not only strengthened my ability to think flexibly and critically to assess my progress but also boosted my confidence in tackling new challenges.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the friendships I built within the team. Regardless of our different disciplines and cultural backgrounds, we have connected well through our shared passion for dance. I am truly inspired by the team’s spirit, commitment, and the way everyone supports each other both on and off the stage. Their high level of organisation and drive constantly motivate me to push myself, improve, and contribute more.
Liu Ningning (left on the second row top down) with her teammates (Photo credit: Brandy Zhu)
Age, nationality, and background melted away the moment we stepped into the Blue Sky Room or onto the stage of Mandela Hall. During competitions in Leeds and Liverpool, when I received applause and compliments from competitors and audience members, I felt great joy — not just personally, but as a proud representative of Chinese and Asian women. We are strong, resilient, and accomplished, and I believe we should be brave in showing that to the world in every arena we enter.
After the competition season, our hip-hop team was also invited to perform at Queen’s Annual Fashion Show and the QUB Dance Annual Showcase. I made every effort to participate in all the events I could, and in doing so, I learned not only new choreography and performance skills but also valuable lessons about resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery.
If you love dancing, or simply want to try something new, I wholeheartedly encourage you to join a club or society at Queen’s. You never know what amazing experiences and friendships are waiting for you to explore and enjoy!
As the Lantern Festival falls on Wednesday, 12th February, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to all colleagues and students who have supported our celebration programme in various ways.
To mark the conclusion of the Year of the Snake Celebration Programme, recognise the winners of the Drawing the Snake Competition, and express our gratitude to our volunteers and contributors, we warmly invite you to our “Lantern Festival” stands in the foyer area of One Elmwood on Wednesday, 12th February, from 12:30 to 13:30. Join us for a special gathering and award ceremony, where we will celebrate your contributions, share joyful moments, and reflect on the unforgettable highlights of this year’s festivities.
Fun Time with Table Tennis
As part of our celebration tradition, we host a Table Tennis Event around the Lantern Festival to promote networking and community building as a key highlight of the Lantern Festival celebration. Sponsored by the QUB iRISE Staff Network, this event warmly invites students, staff members, and their families to take part in a fun and friendly gathering. It offers a chance to engage with one of the most popular sports in Chinese communities while also fostering well-being through physical activity and social interaction.
Additionally, we invite you to explore the ArtEast Online Exhibition, showcasing a diverse collection of artworks by local Chinese artists. The artists would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions to further enhance their presentations.
Thank you for your enthusiastic participation! While our Chinese Culture Forum 2025 will continue to present events and activities in the future, we look forward to celebrating with you again next year as we welcome the Year of the Horse!
With the Snake succeeding the Dragon (Loong) on Wednesday 29th January, we are now embracing the Chinese New Year, or 春节 (Chūnjié, Spring Festival) in Chinese communities – 春节快乐！Happy Spring Festival!
Lanyon Building in Red
To mark the Chinese New Year 2025 celebrations on Wednesday, 29th January — the first day of the Year of the Snake — Queen’s Lanyon Building was officially illuminated in red.
The Success Lion Dance Club, led by Master Alan Lui, delivered a spectacular lion dance performance, a traditional way of celebrating the Spring Festival in Chinese communities. The lions danced together and interacted with the audience, spreading blessings and good fortune for the year ahead.
Students, staff members, and their families were invited to join group photographs at the end, posing alongside the lions.
Drawing the Snake Competition
Congratulations to the following winners! A full exhibition can be viewed from Drawing the Snake Competition page.
Children 1st – Maysee Wei
Children 2nd – Cassie Zuo
Children 3rd – Xiyue Wu
Adult 1st – Xingge Sun
Adult 2nd – Yating Hu
Adult 3rd – Fuheng Qu
ArtEast online exhibition
Thanks to four ArtEast Club members’ contribution to the online exhibition this year, there are over 30 pieces of artworks we can view from their gallery.
We would like to thank Luyaoand Sinong for their engaging and interesting talks and welcome the upcoming talks delivered by Tong, Siyang, Mi and Tianpeng. Save the dates in your diary and don’t miss out!
CNY entertainment
QUB international student societies are hosting their own events (Open House and CNY Dinner) for the celebration of the Chinese New Year. They welcome both members and non-members to join in their events.
Wishing all staff, students, alumni, and the wider community a joyful and prosperous Year of the Snake!
Launch of the Chinese New Year celebrations (Wednesday 22 January) – open to all students and staff
With the arrival of the Year of the Snake on Wednesday 29 January, we would like to send our best wishes to all those who celebrate it and its variations (Lunar New Year in some Asian countries) and invite staff and students to join together on Wednesday 22 January for the main launch event, as below.
This is a collaborative event, organised by The Language Centre, One Elmwood Student Experience Team, Queen’s Students’ Union, CSSA, MSSNI, Ppi Belfast, and Queen’s iRISE Staff Network, supported by People and Culture Diversity and Inclusion team.
12:00 – 13:00 Welcome Reception (Auditorium, McClay Library) –please register for this here.
13:00 – 13:30 Dragon Dance and Parade – departing from McClay Library through Lanyon, finishing at One Elmwood Student Centre and Students’ Union)
13:30 – 16:00 Cultural Fair and Performances (One Elmwood Foyer – Ground Floor) –no registration required
Chinese Culture Forum
The celebration of the Year of the Snake also announces the start of our Chinese Culture Forum in 2025, with the following talks contributed by Queen’s staff and students, including visiting academics and students from a range of disciplines. Check the programme button and book the events that you are interested in.
We are open to proposals for a variety of events that you would wish to help with or contribute to developing our CCP2025 programme. Please do not hesitate to submit your proposals via the form below and we will get in touch with you in due course after your submission.
The Pre-CNY Workshops commenced with great enthusiasm, setting the tone for the celebrations ahead.
On the afternoon of Monday, 13th January, the Blue Sky Room at One Elmwood welcomed a diverse audience from various cultural and academic backgrounds. Attendees gathered to participate in three engaging workshops — Drawing the Snake, Chinese Calligraphy, and Paper Crafts — in preparation for the arrival of the Year of the Snake.
The Language Centre, in collaboration with One Elmwood Student Experience Team and Queen’s Students’ Union, is keen to invite students and staff members, as well as members of the public, to attend a wide range of events in the coming weeks, featuring
The launch of the Chinese New Year celebrations (Wednesday 22 January)
Year of the Snake Fair (Wednesday 22 January)
Culture talks
Film seminar and screening
Art exhibitions
For more information and to register click the button below
