Durham University's renowned Oriental Museum is delighted to announce that it will be hosting its annual Lunar New Year Lantern Festival celebration on Saturday 24 February 2024 from 6pm to 8pm.
The Oriental Museum is honoured to be able to share in the rich cultural traditions of Lunar New Year, an important festival celebrated across Asia.
This year marks the Year of the Dragon. In celebration, the Oriental Museum has organised special dragon-themed crafts, trails and storytelling for visitors.
There will also be traditional dragon dancing and other lively performances.
Visitors will be able to sample traditional Lunar New Year snacks and enjoy captivating musical performances on traditional instruments by Durham University's talented Korean percussion group P'ungmul.
The Lantern Festival is the culmination of over two weeks of Lunar New Year festivities and marks the launch of Durham Global Week, a series of events and activities to highlight the University’s international impact, through its students, staff and global community.
Global Week will take place from 24 February until 3 March and offers a wide range of activities from lectures to performances, talks and film screenings for everyone to enjoy.
Charlotte Spink, a Learning Coordinator at the Oriental Museum, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to this event.
“Our wonderful students always bring so much creativity and enthusiasm and make the museum come to life.”
Yirun, an international student at Durham University who will be performing at the event, said: “I’m really excited about meeting visitors at the Lantern Festival.
“I’ll be performing a traditional Chinese song on my guqin – a stringed instrument I have been playing for around 10 years.”
The Oriental Museum is committed to providing an enriching and entertaining cultural experience for visitors of all ages.
Entry to the Lantern Festival is £3 for adults and children over 2 years old. Children under 2 enter free of charge.
Tickets must be purchased in advance via Eventbrite and the event is open to all, which promises to be great fun for all the family.