On Sunday, 1 March, I volunteered at the Sauchiehall Street Chinese New Year celebration, organised by Ricefield Arts and other partners. The event aimed to celebrate Chinese cultural traditions with Glasgow’s broader public, creating opportunities for communities across the city (many without prior exposure to Chinese culture) to engage directly with living traditions.
The day began with volunteer preparations at 12:30, where we gathered to go through final checks on costumes, accessories, and understand the processional route. At 13:15, the organisers gave us a detailed briefing. At 14:00, we lined up in our hanfu—traditional Chinese robes in rich colours—and began walking down the street.
Walking in hanfu through the street was striking. Despite the rain, the crowd remained enthusiastic. Children watched with curiosity while many parents raised their phones to capture the moment. The colours of the robes—deep crimson, gold, and soft blue—stood out vividly against the grey, rainy afternoon. For about 45 minutes, we walked slowly through the drizzle while people lined the street to watch and photograph the procession.
After the procession ended at 14:45, the lion dance performance began. The sudden drums and cymbals created a burst of energy, starkly different from the quiet pace of the walk. The performers moved with impressive agility, their movements synchronised with the rhythm of the percussion. The lion’s head swayed and bobbed, its mouth snapping open and closed in exaggerated motions that drew gasps and laughter from the crowd.
Children pressed closer to watch, mesmerised by the spectacle. Each time the lion leapt or twisted, the crowd reacted with enthusiastic cheers and applause, creating a dynamic dialogue between performer and audience.
At 15:00, the event transitioned into the ceilidh dance. Volunteers and members of the public joined the ceilidh circle together, dancing side by side. What struck me was a Scottish woman in her seventies who eagerly joined in, concentrating on learning the steps alongside everyone else. There was no sense of “correct” or “wrong”—just people moving together, learning and laughing at mistakes. The tens of minutes of dancing felt both energetic and joyful, with the traditional hanfu adding an unexpected visual element to this distinctly Scottish tradition.
This experience showed me how cultural events create meaningful spaces for cross-cultural communication. Seeing people from different backgrounds come together to enjoy and learn about Chinese culture was rewarding. The volunteering experience strengthened my teamwork and communication skills while deepening my appreciation for how cultural events can promote inclusivity and genuine community engagement.