Year of the Horse Spring Festival Events

Confucius Institute at Newcastle University Joins Hands with Faye Tai Chi Friends to Host Successful 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival Events, Supporting Local Charities

From February 28th to March 1st, 2026, the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University, in partnership with the UK-based Faye Tai Chi Friends, successfully hosted a series of Spring Festival events under the theme "Celebrating the Year of the Horse, Sharing Culture, Spreading Love" at the Telford Chinese Arts and Culture Centre. The activities, which included a Tai Chi & Health Qigong Workshop and a Community Spring Festival Gala, attracted hundreds of local residents. The events successfully raised funds for local cancer support organisations and a student bursary scheme, promoting Chinese culture and fostering community cohesion.

Building Friendships Through Martial Arts, Spreading Health and Hope

The "Year of the Horse Tai Chi & Health Qigong Workshop" held on February 28th focused on the theme of "Community Health." The workshop featured esteemed instructors: Tary Yip and Faye(Li) Yip, founders of Faye Tai Chi Friends, the Deyin Taijiquan Institute(GB), and the British Health Qigong Association; Feixia Yu, Senior Instructor of the British Health Qigong Association and former British Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Central Lancashire; and Rensong Li, Associate Professor from the Physical Education Department of Xiamen University, currently serving as a Traditional Sports Specialist at the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University. They led sessions including lectures and experiential classes on Tai Chi Pushing Hands, 24 Solar Term Daoyin and Health Qigong • Baduanjin. Professor Deyin Li, Honorary Chairman of the Deyin Taijiquan Institute(GB) and Renmin University of China, attended the workshop's opening ceremony. The event attracted Tai Chi enthusiasts from diverse cultural backgrounds, who experienced the charm of traditional Chinese wellness culture through practice while also contributing to the Lingen Davies Cancer Support Fund and the JDSS Bursary Scheme.

The Confucius Institute at Newcastle University, as the academic and cultural support unit for this event, actively promoted Sino-British cultural exchange and fulfilled its mission of "serving the community, spreading culture, and promoting understanding." Associate Professor Li Rensong, in his role as the institute's Traditional Sports Specialist, delivered a well-received session on the practice and enhancement of Health Qigong • Baduanjin. He approached it from perspectives including traditional Chinese medicine wellness culture, fitness mechanisms, and the appreciation of Health Qigong. His professionalism and enthusiasm earned widespread praise from participants. Attendees expressed that Instructor Li's integration of TCM theory with practical exercises deepened their understanding of the key points in practicing Baduanjin, which is beneficial for practicing this skill earnestly. They also expressed hope for future opportunities to learn from him again.

Community Gala, Cultural Integration

The Year of the Horse Spring Festival Gala on March 1st featured "Artistic Performances" and "Cultural Experiences" as its main threads. The artistic performances were splendid and diverse, ranging from the opera dance "The Drunken Beauty" and traditional Tai Chi Fan routines to the 24-Form Tai Chi, from the powerful Lion Drum dance to the violin solo "Good Day." The cultural experiences were rich and varied, including lantern making workshops, calligraphy experiences, Chinese painting displays, traditional costume try-ons, 360° smart photo booths, and Chinese food tastings, attracting numerous local families. Associate Professor Li Rensong also performed Chen-style Taijiquan at the gala, creating a lively atmosphere filled with joy and applause.

Several distinguished guests from local government, charitable organisations, police departments, and cultural groups attended the event, including Tim Cooper, Chair of the Lingen Davies Cancer Support Fund; Sue, Founder of the JDSS Bursary Scheme; and local councillors Cllr Rachael Tyrrell, Cllr Paul Thomas, and Cllr Raj Mehta. Letters of congratulations were also received from the Office of the King's Representative, the High Sheriff of Shropshire, the Office of the Mayor of Telford, and the Office of the Mayor of Shrewsbury, highly commending Faye Tai Chi Friends and the Confucius Institute for their positive contributions to promoting cultural exchange and community integration.

Funds Raised, Love Transmitted

Through registration fees for the Saturday workshop and a charity raffle on Sunday, the events successfully raised a total of £1,479.80. All proceeds will be donated to the Lingen Davies Cancer Support Fund and the JDSS Bursary Scheme to support local cancer patients and students facing financial difficulties.

This collaboration not only showcased the contemporary value of traditional Chinese martial arts and culture but also highlighted the Confucius Institute's commitment to actively integrating into local society and serving community development while promoting Chinese culture abroad. The Confucius Institute at Newcastle University will continue to support and participate in such meaningful cultural and charitable activities, building more bridges for Sino-British cultural exchange.