It was a lovely day of speeches, songs and dances as the Confucius Institute, UNILAG celebrated China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Hall of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
HSK students at the Institute, pupils and students of Redeemer’s International Secondary School; International School, University of Lagos (ISL); University of Lagos Staff School; Blooming Greens School; Grace Schools, Lagos; Fountain Heights Secondary School and Southfield Children Academy & College added colour to the event with their beautiful Chinese performances. The HSK students rounded off the performances with a little sprinkling of Nigerian WAZOBIA dances.
The celebration was well-attended by Management of the University, Consuls Hua and Wu, representatives of the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos; representatives of Chinese companies such as Anhui Chamber of Commerce, Henan Chamber of Commerce, Xugong Automobile, Hengxing International, Red Star Steel and DABU Mechanical and Electronics Company; representatives from the Nigerian Immigration Services; students and friends of the UNILAG Confucius Institute; other students of the University; the above schools where Chinese language and culture is taught and members of the University community.
The Chinese New Year & Mid-Autumn Festival
On October 1 of every year, China celebrates its National Day in commemoration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Coincidentally, the Federal Republic of Nigeria celebrates her Independence Day on October 1 of every year. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also called Mooncake Festival, always takes place on the 5th day of the 8th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar. This year, the Festival fell on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
About Confucius Institute, UNILAG
Confucius Institute, University of Lagos is a non-profit organisation which promotes the teaching of Chinese language and culture. It was founded in Nigeria as a cooperation between the University of Lagos and Beijing Institute of Technology in 2009. Its programme aims to promote Chinese language and culture, support local mandarin teaching internationally and facilitate cultural exchange.
Below are pictorial highlights:
Report: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographs: Nike Ogunshakin/Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
