On 28 February, as an intern at Ricefield Chinese Arts and Cultural Centre, I took part in a Chinese New Year celebration event held at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. The event attracted many local families and provided a variety of fun and interactive activities, allowing participants to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture.
At 11 a.m., staff members and more than ten volunteers arrived at Kelvin Hall to begin preparing for the event. Together we set up the space, arranged tables and chairs, organised materials, and prepared different activity stations. The venue was divided into several interactive areas, including traditional Chinese games such as Cuju (ancient Chinese football) and shuttlecock kicking, children’s craft activities, a calligraphy tattoo station, and a Chinese dance performance area. Through teamwork, we quickly transformed the space into a lively and festive environment, filled with colourful decorations and various Chinese cultural elements.
During the event, I was mainly responsible for the calligraphy tattoo station. Many children and parents came over to try having their names written in Chinese. I first helped translate or choose an appropriate Chinese name based on their English name, then carefully wrote it on their hand using an eyeliner pen, and finally applied a washable tattoo sticker. Seeing their names turn into Chinese, many children felt very novel and happy, and some even excitedly showed their Chinese names to their families. Some adults were also curious and asked how their names would be pronounced in Chinese.
The event ran from midday until 3 p.m., and the atmosphere remained lively throughout. Many local families brought their children to take part in the activities. Children moved between different stations, trying various experiences. Some practised kicking shuttlecocks, some focused on making crafts, while others picked up colourful dance ribbons and imitated the movements of Chinese dancers in the performance area, freely dancing and playing. Volunteers actively engaged with participants, introduced the activities, and helped children complete their creations. The entire venue was filled with laughter and a joyful festive spirit.
Through this event, I not only witnessed the strong interest that the local community has in Chinese culture, but also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural exchange. Being able to use my language and cultural background to help them learn more about China gave me a strong sense of involvement and achievement.
The Chinese New Year celebration at Kelvin Hall was not only a lively festive event but also a warm and meaningful cultural exchange experience. I was very glad to be part of it. Through my small contribution, I felt that I was helping to promote mutual understanding and communication between different cultures. At the same time, the experience allowed me to appreciate the importance of organising cultural events and encouraging public participation.