On 10 th March 2026, at the invitation of Ananda College in Colombo, Chinese teachers from the Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya visited Ananda Collage to present a lively Chinese New Year cultural experience for students and staff.
The event began with an engaging presentation, where the teachers introduced the origins, legends, and traditional customs of the Chinese New Year through a vivid PPT. From putting up spring couplets and hanging lanterns to enjoying reunion dinners, students gained an initial understanding of China’s most important traditional festival. To create a festive atmosphere, the teachers led students in singing New Year songs and distributed small red envelopes to encourage participation. Laughter and music filled the room, creating a joyful and energetic environment.
During the dumpling-making session, the teachers demonstrated hand-by-hand techniques for filling and folding dumplings. Students enthusiastically tried their hand at making their own, and although some were a little clumsy at first, everyone carefully completed their dumplings. While waiting for the dumplings to cook, students engaged in paper-cutting activities, creating three-dimensional “春” (spring) characters under the teachers’ guidance. The vibrant red characters came to life, symbolizing good wishes for the New Year.
Finally, when the steaming dumplings were served, students eagerly tasted the results of their efforts and praised the delicious flavors. The event concluded with laughter and smiles, offering students a hands-on experience of traditional customs such as dumpling-making and paper-cutting. Beyond the activities, it deepened students’ understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, sparked interest in learning the Chinese language in future.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |