Jointly organised by QUB iRise Staff Network and The Language Centre, Queen’s staff enjoyed attending a mid-summer social event that successfully celebrated both the Chinese Duanwu Festival and the Korean Danoje Festival, two traditional East Asian festivals that occur around the same time of year. The event was organised as an opportunity to promote intercultural understanding, community building, and a sense of belonging among staff from a diverse cultural background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Mid-Summer-Social-2026-3.jpg\")
Dr Bee-Yen gave a welcome.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Prof](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Mid-Summer-Social-2026-4.jpg\")
Prof Wei Sha gave a welcome.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe morning began with opening remarks from the iRise Co-Chair, Dr. Bee-Yen Toh who introduced the work of iRise and reflected on the network\u2019s growing programme of activities, encouraging more staff participantion and contribution to its Cultural Diversity Scheme. The REC Academic Lead Prof Wei Sha also offered welcoming remarks before the event moved into two cultural presentations: Dr. Liang Wang<\/a> from China introduced Duanwujie<\/strong>, while Dr Suyhun Kim<\/a> from Korea introduced Danoje<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/IMG_0619-scaled.jpeg\")
Dr Liang Wang introduced Duanwu Festival.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Mid-Summer-Social-2026-9.jpg\")
Dr Shuyun Kim introduced Dano Festival.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe event was further enriched by a guzheng performance from Wei Deng, a graduate in Arts Management from the School of Arts, English and Languages. Wei, holding a Global Talent Visa, has been committed to integrating guzheng techniques with Irish music elements, with which she is going to host her guzheng concert at the Fleadh Cheoil na h\u00c9ireann (the world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music). Wei extended her invitation to QUB staff to attend her concert in coming August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Mid-Summer-Social-2026-12-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Mid-Summer-Social-2026-14-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei Deng communicated with Queen’s staff about her upcoming guzheng concert.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nColleagues also received calligraphy bookmarks featuring Chinese Duanwu Festival greetings and well-wishes, including messages of peace, health and good fortune. These small keepsakes, written by QUB Law student Shiuh Ting Gho, offered participants something personal to take away from the event, while also introducing the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and the meaning carried through written language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Calligraphy](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Duanwu-Dano-presentation-20260612.jpg\")
Calligraphy bookmarks written by Shiuh Ting Gho.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Calligraphy](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Mid-Summer-Social-2026-1.jpg\")
Calligraphy bookmarks carrying festival greeting messages.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Mid-Summer Social was a warm celebration of culture, language and shared learning. Through stories, music, food traditions, language and calligraphy, the event offered colleagues an opportunity to learn about Duanwujie and Danoje while strengthening a sense of connection across the University community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read the original text from QUB iRise webpage<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celebration 2: CWA Dragon Boat Festival and Wei Deng’s Concert Launch <\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260519211356_135_1616-720x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe second celebration was hosted by the Chinese Welfare Association Northern Ireland (CWA) to support the local community’s Dragon Boat Festival celebration and the launch of Wei Deng’s upcoming concert. Distinguished guests included representatives from organisations and associations such as the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Belfast, Arts Council Northern Ireland, National Museums NI, as well as members of other ethnic communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms Lili Wu, Directing Manager of CWA and Dr Liang Wang, Language Support Officer from Queen’s Language Centre, co-chaired the event.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Ms Lili Li, Vice-Chair of CWA, expressed her gratitude for the support received from partner organisations and individuals, whose contributions have helped foster the continued development of the Chinese community and its growing role in Belfast’s civic engagement and social cohesion. Madame Yanhua Wang, Deputy Consul-General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Belfast, highly commended CWA’s long-standing service to the Chinese community and its important role in promoting multiculturalism and community integration in Belfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ms](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5548.jpeg\")
Ms Lili Li gave a welcome speech.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Madame](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5562.jpeg\")
Madame Yanhua Wang gave a welcome speech.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe first half of the celebration featured the launch of Wei Deng’s concert. Wei shared stories from her artistic journey and personal development through intercultural learning since arriving at Queen’s as a postgraduate student in Arts Management. She also spoke about her continued engagement in innovative guzheng practice following her studies, both in China and Northern Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5575-1024x769.jpeg\")
Wei Deng introduced her guzheng project and concert.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153929_447_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei Deng introduced her guzheng project and concert.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5584-1024x683.jpeg\")
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5593-1024x683.jpeg\")
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5597-1024x683.jpeg\")
Wei Deng performed guzheng music.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\nEmphasising the value of intercultural exchange, she highlighted the integration of Irish musical elements into traditional Chinese guzheng performance and warmly invited the audience to attend her concert in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Event<\/strong>: Harmony Beyond Borders – An Enchanting Afternoon of Guzheng Music<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Date<\/strong>: Sunday 9th August 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Time<\/strong>: 3:00 pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Venue<\/strong>: Lyric Theatre<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ticket<\/strong>: Eventbrite booking<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260615215014_384_1616-662x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFollowing Wei’s wonderful live performance, the second half of the celebration began with three cultural workshops, including Chinese calligraphy bookmark writing, zongzi-shaped ornament making, and a demonstration of traditional zongzi wrapping techniques. Making and eating zongzi (\u7cbd\u5b50) – traditional Chinese sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves and filled with a variety of sweet or savoury ingredients – has been a symbolic Dragon Boat Festival custom for thousands of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Workshop](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153922_441_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Workshop tables set with decorations.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Workshop](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5514-1024x683.jpeg\")
Workshop tables set with calligraphy bookmarks.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Workshop](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5516-1024x683.jpeg\")
Workshop tables set with calligraphy bookmarks.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Workshop](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5518-1024x683.jpeg\")
Workshop tables set with calligraphy bookmarks.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Zongzi-shaped](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5520-1024x683.jpeg\")
Zongzi-shaped ornaments<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Frame](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5521-1024x683.jpeg\")
Frame with an artisitc form of combined characters.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Calligraphy](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5525-1024x683.jpeg\")
Calligraphy script and Wei’s concert poster<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Zongzi](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5554-1024x683.jpeg\")
Zongzi materials ready for wrapping<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Zongzi](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5605-1024x683.jpeg\")
Zongzi master answering questions.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Zongzi](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5618-1024x683.jpeg\")
Zongzi master deomstrating zongzi wrapping up techniques.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Zongzi](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153935_452_1616-768x1024.jpg\")
Zongzi master deomstrating wrapped-up zongzi.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nAfter a delicious lunch was served, featuring mini-sized zongzi as a tasting dish, Dr Liang Wang hosted a Duanwu (Dragon Boat Festival) Culture Quiz, helping non-Chinese participants gain a deeper understanding of the festival’s history, traditions, and customs. This was followed by a tea-tasting session facilitated by Wei, who demonstrated traditional tea preparation and serving practices using Yungong Tea (\u4e91\u5bab\u8336), a renowned tea produced in Chongqing, her hometown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Tea](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153941_457_1616-768x1024.jpg\")
Tea ceremony preparation<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153943_459_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei Deng demoed tea making technique<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153944_460_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei Deng demonstrated tea making technique<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153945_461_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei chatted with the audience <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153946_462_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei surrounded by participants<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Wei](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153947_463_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Wei surrounded by participants<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nCulture, language, music, food, and entertainment combined to provide participants with a fascinating experience of intercultural discovery, cultural demonstration, and artistic appreciation. The guzheng-enhanced Dragon Boat Festival celebration fostered meaningful cultural exchange and friendship not only within the Chinese community but also among a wide range of communities across Belfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Welcome](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5527-1024x683.jpeg\")
Welcome guests at the entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5541-1-1024x683.jpeg\")
Dr Liang Wang co-chaired at the event.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Ms](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5543-1024x683.jpeg\")
Ms Lili Wu co-chaired at the event.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Group](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/DSC_5571-1024x817.jpeg\")
Group photo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/CWA-Duanwu-DengWeis-Concert-Launch-23-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Group](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153939_456_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Group photo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Volunteers](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153937_454_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Volunteers busy preparing food.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Audience](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/Image_20260617153926_444_1616-1024x768.jpg\")
Audience waiting in the hall for the start.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Deng](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/CWA-Duanwu-DengWeis-Concert-Launch-24-1024x811.jpeg\")
Deng Wei with Lili and Sally<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li> ![\"Deng](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/mandarinchinese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2026\/06\/CWA-Duanwu-DengWeis-Concert-Launch-30-1024x768.jpeg\")
Deng Wei with Rebecca Zhang<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a>
- Date<\/strong>: Sunday 9th August 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n