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“新年快乐，蛇年大吉！” (Xīnnián kuàilè, shénián dàjí!) As we enter 2025, welcoming the Year of the Snake, we immersed ourselves in the joy of Chinese New Year with great enthusiasm. Despite being miles away from Asia, the festive spirit remained strong at Lancing College. Students from diverse backgrounds joined to deliver a mesmerizing celebration, featuring vibrant dance routines and soulful singing performances honouring Chinese traditions.
At Lancing College, students from various Asian backgrounds came together to showcase their unique ways of celebrating Chinese New Year, creating a lively and colorful mix of traditions. It was a chance to share cultures, with festive rituals and amazing food bringing everyone closer. Performing students put their best effort and time into learning Mandarin and the Chinese culture, making their performances even more exciting and something everyone looked forward to. On Sunday 2 February, Lancing College celebrated the festivities of Chinese New Year with a delightful buffet and enchanting performances.
The celebration kicked off with Hailey's beautiful rendition of 春秋 ("Spring and Autumn") by 张敬轩, a song that perfectly captures the transition from the cold winter to the joy of the new spring season, marking the start of a fresh year. To dive even deeper into the culture, Lilian mesmerised the audience with an elegant dance performance to 醉清波 ("Zuì Qīng Bō"). This classical Chinese dance symbolises grace, fluidity, and the passage of time, with water often symbolising renewal and continuity in Chinese culture. Lilian's graceful movements beautifully illustrated shedding the burdens of the past year, leaving space for a brighter future.
Next up, Brandon left the audience moved with his soulful performance of 黑色幽默 ("Black Humor") by 周杰伦 (Jay Zhou). The melancholic ballad spoke to the heart, expressing emotions left unsaid. As the audience were reflecting on Brandon’s amazing performance, the mood was slowly brought back up again as Lilian and Sophia lit up the stage with their energetic dance, 谷雨 ("Grain Rain"), which represents one of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar. It’s the time when weather conditions are perfect for planting crops, symbolising growth, new beginnings, and fertility.
One of the most heart warming moments of the evening was welcoming back former Chinese teacher, Mrs. Liang, who retired last year. Everyone was delighted to see her again, and it was a touching reminder of the years of dedication she had put into shaping the Chinese New Year celebrations at Lancing College. Her passion for sharing Chinese culture with students left a lasting impact, and her return was met with warm smiles and fond memories. The College deeply appreciates her hard work in previous years, as she played a key role in fostering the enthusiasm and cultural appreciation that continues to thrive in these celebrations.
The entire celebration wouldn’t have been what it was without the tireless effort of both the students and staff. The chefs and catering staff prepared an incredible spread of Chinese and Chinese-inspired dishes. From tender Peking Duck to delectable sweet and sour chicken and Chinese egg fried rice, every dish was crafted with care, offering a true taste of tradition that left everyone wanting more.
The performance was closed with a short and sweet performance by Nicola and Jamiee, delivering a heartwarming duet of 告白气球 ("Confession Balloon") by Jay Zhou. The upbeat song, full of love and joy, spread wishes of happiness and good fortune for the year ahead, creating the perfect ending to a night filled with celebration, culture, and connection. And with that, we wish everyone a joyful and prosperous Chinese New Year 2025—may the Year of the Snake bring you love, happiness, and endless good fortune!
Written by Nicola K, Lower Sixth Form