2007 Press Releases
UCC Celebrates Year of the Golden Pig , 19 February
UCC will usher in the prosperous Year of the Golden Pig today (Monday,
19 February 2007) when a celebration of Chinese New Year takes place in
the Aula Maxima. This is an auspicious occasion for UCC's 160-strong
Chinese student body since the year of the golden pig occurs only once
every 60 years; (the "regular" year of the pig takes place every 12
years).
A key focus of the event in Cork, as in China, will be the musical
aspect of the celebration. Chinese students, in traditional dress, will
perform pieces on piano, violin and short sketches and games.
Young pupils from Gaelscoil Ui Dhrisceoil in Glanmire will also perform
a fifteen minute stage play production of a traditional Chinese tale,
"Legend of Four Dragons".
UCC's Chinese students will this year be joined by a group of Irish
students who are taking Chinese Studies as part of their BA degree in
UCC. Chinese Studies was first introduced into the curriculum in
September last and this group of pioneering First Arts students will be
able to exchange some phrases of Mandarin with their Chinese
counterparts, all the while perfecting their use of chopsticks to taste
the delicious Chinese fare on offer.
The year of the pig bodes success and wealth and so, for UCC's Chinese
students, many of whom will graduate this year, the coming year is
expected to bring prosperity in the form of good job opportunities both
in Ireland and China. Says Xiao Ye Dai, a student from Shanghai,
Cork's sister city in China: "I came to UCC to study because I
believe that this will be a wonderful opportunity for me to get a good
job. Many of my friends have already got jobs in the IT sector in China
and I hope to join them once I have graduated from UCC with my PhD in
Computer Science."
Meanwhile, some of the Irish students who have by now whetted their
appetite for Chinese culture through their courses in Chinese language,
culture and civilisation, are already looking forward to spending the
third year of their degree programme at a Chinese partner university.
Prof Fan Hong, Director of Chinese Studies, says the students are
enjoying their studies of this ancient civilisation and making very
impressive progress in their language studies. For others, the
event is a time to reconnect with home and to think of their loved ones
at home in China. Many of the students are spending their first
Spring Festival away from home and, while they miss their home at this
time, they say they have been made feel very welcome by the friendly
people of Cork.
Chen Wen Bin, head of Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA),
says "I am delighted to represent the Chinese students at UCC, and to
have helped in the organisation of this great event. I wish
everyone great happiness for this new year of the pig!"
The celebration begins at 6pm this evening (19 February) in the Aula Maxima, UCC.
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