Discover Chinese New Year 2026 Spring Festival & Lantern Festival Experience
Hong Kong, February 26, 2026 — The Hong Kong Confucius Institute successfully held the "Exploring the Lunar New Year: 2026 Spring Festival & Lantern Festival Cultural Experience" event. The activity attracted a large gathering of international students from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), who came together to explore the rich depth and fun of traditional Chinese festivals.
The event featured a diverse array of interactive experiences, including calligraphy (writing couplets), traditional paper-cutting art, Hanfu (traditional clothing) try-ons, and the tasting of special New Year delicacies. At the calligraphy station, many students trying the art of brush writing for the first time were guided by instructors to practice writing the character "Fu" (Fortune) and New Year couplets, gaining a hands-on appreciation for the artistic essence of Chinese characters.
The Hanfu experience session also garnered significant attention. International students donned traditional attire to explore Chinese costume culture in a tangible way, taking memorable photos around the campus.
Meanwhile, the food experience zone served as a bridge connecting taste buds with culture. Students gathered to savor authentic New Year snacks, such as the "Smiling Dates" (Xiao Kou Zao), symbolizing "smiling often," and the "Sugar Lotus Seeds," representing a "sweet life." Amidst the aroma of these treats, Chinese and international students sat together, sharing stories of their own festivals in a warm atmosphere of laughter and conversation. This exchange, extending from the palate to the heart, made the once-familiar cultures of foreign lands accessible and intimate through the warmth of shared experiences.
