University of Chester's 2019 Chinese Spring Festival Gala proves a hit

Organised by students from the Chinese Society and China Centre, it aimed to showcase the country’s culture with a host of performances in celebration of the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Pig.

I was bowled over by the sheer energy and enthusiasm displayed by all of the acts, who I was told only had several weeks to prepare for the big night on Friday (February 1).

The entertainment – delivered largely in Chinese with some English translation - ranged from songs and dances to dramatic portrayals of 18th century history.

And all were enthusiastically received by the 200-strong audience at the university’s Molloy Building on the Parkgate Road campus.

At one point I felt like I was watching the X Factor final as a young man’s rendition of what I can only describe as a Chinese power ballad threatened to lift the roof.

I certainly left the venue with a beaming smile on my face.

Professor Phil Harris, director of the China Centre, said: “Celebrating the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year together for Chinese people overseas is important.

“The students of the University of Chester have done a great job by putting on such a great show for an audience of 350 guests from local communities.

“The Year of Pig symbolises wealth which is another popular lucky animal sign for Chinese. We wish good luck to everyone in the Year of Pig!”

Among the VIP guests were the High Sheriff of Cheshire, Alexis Redmond MBE, and Chen Xuefeng, of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Manchester.

A total of £461 was raised through donations on the night for the Save the Children charity.