By Lian Yun Pang
Traditional Chinese music filled the air as performers sang and played a variety of instruments in celebration of Confucius Institute Day – Saturday, September 26, 2015. From 2:00 – 5:00 pm that afternoon, University of Kentucky Confucius Institute (UKCI) booths adorned the corner of Cooper and University Drive, with each representing a different aspect of Chinese culture. Festival-goers viewed demonstrations and then participated in writing calligraphy, playing the erhu, making origami, and painting opera masks.
UKCI employee, Ren Xiaokun, who demonstrated a tea ceremony at one of the booths, explained “I like every part of this event. If it is about Chinese culture, I love it very much. I did not expect so many people to show up this afternoon on a Saturday.”
UK Confucius Institute Director Dr. Huajing Maske said she was pleased with the afternoon’s turnout. One UK student, named Jenny, said “It’s good to expose people to different cultures like this. People here haven’t always seen some of this culture, so it’s always good to introduce it to the community here at UK and in Lexington.”
