From Hong Kong to the world: Lunar New Year’s cultural exchange

CUHK cultural ambassadors share the vibrant traditions and festive delights of the Lunar New Year with incoming students at the Hong Kong Cultural Pavilion.

In the spring semester, incoming students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions of the Lunar New Year. The Office of Academic Links organised the ‘Hong Kong Cultural Pavilion: Celebration of Lunar New Year’ where a group of returned CUHK students served as cultural ambassadors to introduce the new year customs and festive snacks to the incoming students. The incoming students also had a great time celebrating the festival. Elisa Michi from Leiden University explored the Victoria Park flower market, visited the Che Kung Temple, and witnessed breathtaking fireworks from the Peak, while Valerie Marianne Janssen from Maastricht University went to the New Year Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Valerie Marianne Janssen (1st right) and friends explore the Lady’s Market.

At the same time, CUHK outgoing exchange students celebrated the festival abroad. Wai Kit Mok, an Information Engineering student who is on exchange at the International Christian University in Japan, shared the joy with students from Taiwan, the Chinese mainland, and the host university through writing Fai Chun and a hotpot feast. Shiu Hei Wong, an Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis student studying at the University of California, Los Angeles, showcased his creativity by crafting a paper dragon for a lively dragon dance. These stories are testaments to the transformative impact of cultural exchange, as they foster bonds, facilitate the sharing of traditions, and transcend the boundaries that separate people.

Wai Kit Mok (back, right) celebrates with students at the International Christian University in Japan by writing Fai Chun together.

Shiu Hei Wong (back, left) brings the paper dragon to life at the University of California, Los Angeles.