Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation, collaborated with the embassy of China to present a Chinese Spring Festival at the HBKU Student Centre in Education City.
The entertainment included performances by an artistic troupe and marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year, which this year has been designated as the Year of the Fire Rooster.
Hosted by the Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII) within HKBU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, which currently offers classes in Mandarin Chinese among a wide range of community-focused language programmes, the event was attended by the ambassador of China Li Chen and the founding dean of HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Amal al-Malki.
A crowd that included members of the local and Chinese community in Qatar filled the HBKU Student Centre cinema and was treated to a range of colourful live performances by Chinese singers, instrumentalists, and dancers. Traditional and contemporary Chinese music accompanied most of the performances, with one song performed in Arabic.
Ambassador Chen said, “This event, jointly held by our embassy and TII, rendered a warm festive family atmosphere among our audience from various local communities. It has also reflected the friendship and strategic relations between China and Qatar consolidated right after the China Qatar Year of Culture.”
Dr al-Malki added, “Learning a new language helps us establish meaningful relationships with other cultures. Opening up to other cultures allows us all to be more appreciative of other ways of doing and looking at things. Celebrating the Chinese New Year with the Chinese Embassy in Qatar is an example of how different languages can bring cultures together.”
