Chinese New Year at the Botanics

Balbir Singh Dance Company collaborated with MA students from the University of Leeds to offer them valuable work experience and the chance to develop new skills. The successful Botanic event highlighted the richness of culture and allowed the students to refine their abilities further.

In January 2025, MA Chinese students from the University of Leeds, supported by BSDC and Durham University, celebrated the Year of the Snake at the Durham Botanical Gardens. The event featured a lively array of activities, performances, and demonstrations, showcasing Chinese culture and engaging attendees from Durham University.

2024 to 2025

Reimagining the Botanics

Traditional Chinese Dance

The event showcased dance art performed by Yingpu. The dancer presented traditional Chinese dance, bringing the changing seasons to life with captivating movements. Yingpu’s performances were further enhanced by distinctive costumes that reflected China’s rich textile heritage.

Tea Ceremony

The Tea Ceremony presented by Huilin showcased the art of brewing and serving, highlighting its deep cultural significance and mindful philosophy. The practice is rooted in ancient China and emphasises the harmony and elegance of its ritual movements.

The Sounds of Pipa

Through musical heritage performances, artist Dini masterfully performed the sounds of Pipa, a traditional Chinese musical instrument sometimes called the ‘’Chinese lute’’.

Calligraphy Workshop

Master's students introduced a calligraphy workshop to the audience, captivating them with their graceful brush movements on rice paper while showcasing the beauty of cultural heritage. Through this art form, they created the character "Fu" (福) in Chinese calligraphy, which signifies "good fortune," "blessing," and "happiness." This character is often used to symbolise good luck, particularly during the Chinese New Year.

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“It was not only an opportunity to promote traditional Chinese culture, but also a close co-operation between myself and the team. Through this event, we got to know each other better, which is crucial for every project we work on. At the same time, the event also honed my photography skills, communication skills and ability to deal with problems on the fly. Thanks again to Balbir and its members for the support and help they gave us, and thanks to Durham Botanic Gardens for the venue support!

- Ziyu, MA Student ”

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Celebrating Chinese New Year at the Botanic Gardens was a truly unique experience for me, as it was my first time celebrating it away from home. From the initial planning stages to the event itself, my team and I worked collaboratively to showcase aspects of Chinese culture, including tea ceremony, dance, music, and calligraphy. This experience significantly enhanced my improvisation skills and highlighted the crucial role of teamwork

- Yixuan, MA Student ”

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This was my first time organising such a public event in the UK, which was significant to me. Through the hosting experience, I realised the importance of language - at first, I only spoke English to cater for the foreigners in the audience; the obscure lines and my nervousness caused me to stumble over my words. After Emma gave me tips, I tried to use Chinese and English for the rest of the process. When speaking Chinese, I was more confident and connected with the Chinese audience there, which made me more fluent in English. The ability to be bilingual is an advantage of my education, and I have an attitude to treat different cultures equally. I am very grateful to BSDC for giving me such a valuable opportunity. It makes me proud of my motherland's culture in a foreign country.

- Shuyuan, MA Student ”

Dancer

Yingpu

Musician

Dini

Photographer

Elia Tomé

Videographer

Minh Nugen