HippFest, 2026 – Song

We are pleased to continue supporting programmes running at The Hippodrome, Scotland’s number one ‘destination’ cinema and winner of Best Cinema Experience in Scotland 2019.

Anna May Wong gives one of the most compelling screen performances of her career as a woman tormented by unrequited love.

Song (named in a nod to Anna May Wong’s birth-name, Wong Liu Tsong) is washed-up on the shore of Constantinople where she is rescued by artist-in-exile John. With nowhere else to turn, Song persuades her saviour to take her in, quickly making herself indispensable by joining John’s knife-throwing act. Despite Song’s tender care and loyalty, John remains devoted to an old flame: a self-centred ballerina who broke his heart years before.

Anna May Wong quit Hollywood, and its relentlessly stereotyped casting in secondary roles, to work on this film in the thriving German cinema industry. While once again cast as the exotic ‘other’, she is the undisputed star of this picture, bringing extraordinary depth and dignity to a role written expressly for her.

Screening material courtesy of Filmmuseum Düsseldorf.

Tickets can be purchased HERE

Screening material courtesy of Filmmuseum Düsseldorf.

Chinese Speech Contest, 2026

We are excited to announce that our annual Chinese Speech Contest will take place on Friday the 8th May. This year’s theme is Building Bridges Through Chinese Language This competition aims to encourage participants to showcase their Chinese language speaking skills and promote cultural learning. We welcome everyone who meets the criteria to join us in this exciting event!

When: 1pm-4pm, Friday, 8th May, 2026

Where: The Confucius Institute for Scotland, Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Theme: Building Bridges Through Chinese Language

Format: Participants will be required to deliver a 3-minute speech in Mandarin on the topic of Building Bridges Through Chinese Language, including a brief self-introduction.

Who: Eligible contestants must be over 14 years old and learning Chinese as a foreign language. Native speakers of Mandarin Chinese are not eligible.

How:

The judging panel will score based upon the following criteria:

  • Content: Contestants will be judged on the relevance of their speech to the theme, the clarity of their central message, the logical structure of their presentation, and the depth or originality of their ideas.
  • Vocabulary and grammar: Vocabulary and grammatical structures should be appropriate and varied. Absolute grammatical perfection is not required; minor errors are acceptable provided they do not impede communication, and that the speech demonstrates genuine use of Chinese rather than reliance on English language structures.
  • Fluency and pronunciation: Contestants should demonstrate the ability to speak at a natural pace with reasonable fluency, without excessive reliance on memorisation. Pronunciation and tones should be clear and sufficiently accurate to be understood by a native speaker of Mandarin.
  • Delivery and stage presence: Judges will consider the overall performance of the contestant, including confidence, eye contact, body language, and audience engagement. Speakers are allowed to bring notes to the contest, but an extra score will be added to contestants who deliver their speech without notes.

How to Register:

Download the registration form HERE. The deadline to apply is Friday 10th April 2026 at 17:00

Please return the completed registration form to info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk by Friday, 10th April.

Awards and Prizes

Each contestant will receive one of the following awards based upon their performances:

First Place: £100 gift voucher plus a certificate

Second Place: £75 gift voucher plus a certificate

Third Place: £50 gift voucher plus a certificate

Participation Award: Each of the contestants will receive a participation certificate and a gift.

Further Information:

Please get in touch by email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk if you have any further questions.

 

 

 

Chinese Calligraphy Course

Key Information

Date: Thursdays, 26 February; 5, 12, 19, 26 March
Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm

Student Level: Suitable for beginners and advanced learners. Ideal as a follow-up for students who attended previous calligraphy courses. All practise materials will be new for this block.

Location: Confucius Institute for Scotland, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

Why take this course?

This course introduces the essential techniques of Chinese soft-brush writing, guiding participants through the fundamental strokes of Clerical and Running script styles.

Chinese calligraphy is one of the oldest and most revered visual art forms in China. The practise is calming, relaxing, and meditative—beneficial for well-being and longevity. Mastering the pointed soft brush offers both mental focus and physical coordination.

What does the course cover?

  • Brush handling and ink control
  • Techniques for Clerical (隶书) and Running Script (行书)
  • Stroke order, structure, and stylistic variations
  • Demonstrations, guided practice, and personalised critique

About the Teacher

Led by Chi Zhang, featured in the BBC documentary The Art of Chinese Brush Painting and guest artist on Sky TV’s Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir (2024).

Website: www.chizhangartist.com

Fees

  • 1 class – £25
  • 2 classes – £45
  • 3 classes – £65
  • 4 classes – £80
  • 5 classes – £100

All specialist materials are included, along with Chinese tea during the break.

Please register by using the form HERE.

One-to-one tutorials and small-group workshops available. Email: info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk

FREE Taster Session – Chinese Calligraphy – Write Your Own ‘Fu’

Date & Time: Thursday, 12 February, 4:30pm – 6:30pm

(Please arrive by 5:00pm. The door will close promptly at 5:00pm and late entry will not be possible)

Celebrate Chinese New Year with creativity!
Create your own Fu (福) – the character for Good Luck or Good Fortune – traditionally displayed during the New Year for blessings and positivity.

This beginner-friendly session introduces the basics of Chinese calligraphy using soft brushes and ink. Practising calligraphy is calming, meditative, and supports well-being by harmonising the mind and body.

Spaces are limited – please register by using the form HERE.

 

5 Week – Chinese Brush Painting – Winter Landscape

Key Information

Date:  Wednesdays, 28 January; 4, 11, 18, 25 February
Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm

Student Level:
Suitable for complete beginners and those with previous experience. Each session is designed to support you at your own pace and help you build confidence in core techniques.

Location:
 Confucius Institute for Scotland, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

Why take this course?

Winter landscapes are one of the most poetic themes in Chinese brush painting, drawing on a thousand-year artistic tradition. Using soft brushes, ink, and mineral colours, you will learn how to create atmospheric snowy scenes in the style of the Chinese old masters.

Through guided demonstrations and step-by-step instruction, you’ll experience the meditative flow of brushwork and discover how expressive, elegant results can be achieved with simple, refined strokes.

What will I learn?

  • Fundamental techniques of Chinese brush painting
  • How to use traditional tools: brush, ink, colour, and Xuan paper
  • Basic strokes, brush pressure control, and composition
  • Cultural and historical background of Chinese landscape painting
  • How to create your own winter-themed artwork

About the Teacher

The course is led by Chi Zhang, an experienced instructor and artist featured in the BBC documentary The Art of Chinese Brush Painting and guest artist on Sky TV’s Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir (Episode 5, 2024).

Website: www.chizhangartist.com

Fees

  • 1 class – £25
  • 2 classes – £45
  • 3 classes – £65
  • 4 classes – £80
  • 5 classes – £100

All specialist materials are provided, including Chinese ink, traditional animal-hair brushes, and Xuan paper. Chinese tea will be served during the break.

Please register by using the form HERE.

One-to-one tutorials and small group workshops are also available.

Email: info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk

3 Week – Chinese Brush Painting Classes

Key Information

These courses will take place on Thursday mornings on the following dates. You are welcome to enrol on one, two or all three.

Dates: Thursday 20th November, Thursday 27th November and Thursday 4th December

Time: 10.00am – 12.30pm

Student level:

Open to all skill levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this class is tailored to meet your needs and help you progress at your own pace.

Location:

This class will be delivered in person at The Confucius Institute For Scotland, Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why should I take this course?

These Chinese brush painting classes cover a variety of subjects such as Bamboo, Panda and Tiger. Beyond honing your artistic skills, Chinese painting offers meditative benefits and introduces you to a unique art form, steeped in tradition.

What does it cover?

In this course, you’ll master fundamental techniques of Chinese brush painting, such as: using the brush, ink, and paper effectively, practicing essential strokes and styles.

By doing so, you will delve into the cultural and historical significance of Chinese painting and its influence on other artistic traditions.

About the teacher:

This course will be led by Chi Zhang – an experienced instructor and artist, featured in the BBC documentary The Art of Chinese Brush Painting, and guest artist on Sky TV’s Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir (Episode 5, 2024). For more information and to see Chi’s work please visit www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

1 class @ £25.00

2 classes @ £40.00

3 classes @ £60.00

Materials such as specialist Chinese ink, use of traditional animal hair brushes and Chinese Xuan papers are all included. Chinese tea will also be available during the break.

Please note the class is fully booked.

One to one tutorials and small group workshops can also be arranged. Please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk for more info.

 

Mid Autumn Festival Celebration – This Friday, 3rd October, 2-4pm

Join us this Friday to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with poetry and mooncakes!

We will explore the moon featured in selected Chinese and English language poetry and we will have poetry readings in both languages. Our special guest will be Jennifer Williams, a poet (www.jlwilliamspoetry.co.uk) and Creative Projects Manager at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (efi.ed.ac.uk/people/jennifer-williams/).

The event is free, all welcome! Find out more and book on Eventbrite HERE

 

Chinese Language Class – Elementary 4

Course Summary

This course is the continuation of Elementary 3, which will see the completion of Contemporary Chinese for Beginners. New grammatical structures will include 把and 被sentences pattern, with which students can speak about the dispose of an object and compose a sentence with passive voice respectively. The last two or three weeks will be devoted to the revision of the whole book. Students will be guided through key vocabulary, expressions and grammatical structures. Teachers will give more guidance and assistance to help students recognise and write Chinese characters. If time permits, a Q & A section may be included in the last week for teachers to know more about students’ thoughts and comments.

Learning Contents

  • Vocabulary building and conversation/ short paragraph construction related to topics covered in the textbook;
  • 把 structure used to emphasise on the disposal of an object;
  • 被 for passive voice;
  • Expressions used for blaming or thanking other people;
  • Expressions used for showing sympathy, comfort and regret;
  • A review of Contemporary Chinese for Beginners;
  • How to use Chinese paper dictionaries

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Talk about objects that were lost or found;
  • Talk about certain bad experience;
  • Describe environmental changes;
  • Study more autonomously beyond class

Teaching Methods

The course is tutorial based with a combination of joint class activities and group work. Supplementary material is prepared by the teacher. In order to fully benefit from the course and to achieve the learning outcomes, students are strongly encouraged to spend at least 1-2 hours to revise each class.

Learning Materials

Textbook: Contemporary Chinese for Beginners (to complete Lessons 19-20 and review the whole book)

Buy Materials Online 

Learning Materials can be purchased online by using the University epay system HERE.

Course materials can be posted upon receipt of your order to addresses within the UK only. Please note postage is not included, please pay your postage HERE.

 

Guest Lecture on Nezha 2 – 27th June, 5-7.30pm

Join us at the Confucius Institute for Scotland for a talk on the phenomenal success of Nezha 2, a recent Chinese animated film that took the global box office by storm upon its release on Chinese New Year Day, January 29, 2025. Quickly rising to become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide and securing the fifth place on the all-time global box office chart, Nezha 2 has captured widespread public attention. This presentation investigates the key factors behind the film’s commercial breakthrough, highlighting the ways it embodies the defining trends in contemporary world cinema. It also explores the film’s thematic complexity, particularly its dynamic interplay between youthful defiance and traditional familial obligations, an ideological contradiction central to the film’s broad appeal both within China and internationally.

*suitable for 16 year old and over

Event details: 

Time:  27/06/2025 5:00pm-7:30pm

Location: Abden House 1 Marchhall Crescent  EH16 5HP

Agenda:

5:00pm-5:15pm:  Welcome & refreshments

5:15pm-6:15pm:  Lecture by Dr Xuelin Zhou, University of Auckland

6:15pm-6:30pm:  Q&A chaired by Dr Xuelei Huang, University of Edinburgh

The talk will be followed by an opportunity to sample some cultural activities including: Chinese Calligraphy, Blow painting, Tie-dye crafting, and traditional Chinese games.

Dr. Xuelin Zhou is an Associate Professor in Media and Screen and Director of Confucius Institute at The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Xuelin’s research is situated at the intersection of film studies and cross-cultural analysis, with a particular focus on Chinese-language film. His work concentrates on how film functions as a cultural and ideological medium, examining the ways in which filmic narratives engage with issues of identity, modernity and nationalism. Xuelin has published extensively on topics ranging from auteur film and genre movie to national and transnational cinema. He is the author of Young Rebels in Contemporary Chinese Cinema (Hong Kong University Press, 2007), Youth Culture in Chinese Language Film (Routledge, 2016), and Globalization and Contemporary Chinese Cinema (Palgrave, 2017).

The event is free, all are welcome, but booking is required.  Please reserve your place HERE 

 

Five-week Online Lunchtime Conversational Chinese starting from Thursday, 29th May

We are delighted to announce our five-week online lunchtime language course – the Chinese Conversational classes will start again on Thursday, 29th May. These courses are for those who want to spend some dedicated time practicing and consolidating their Chinese conversation skills. It will help students with different language levels develop well-balanced speaking and listening competence by learning and applying Chinese communicative skills in a specific professional or cultural context.

The lunchtime online option aims to create a relaxed and fun learning environment for students to practice conversational skills without travel stress.

Please register by completing the Registration Form HERE 

We will notify registered students when the online payment link is ready.

Conversational Chinese – Elementary level 

Date: Thursday, 29th May – 26th June

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Online via Zoom

Conversational Chinese – Intermediate level 

Date: Thursday, 29th May – 26th June

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Online via Zoom

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop – Scottish Landscape (Outdoor Painting)

Key Information

Date & Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Saturday, 24 May 2025

Student Level: This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students. It also works as a follow-up for students who previously attended the Chinese landscape painting class. All practice materials will be refreshed from the previous class.

Location: This class will be delivered in person at the garden of Confucius Institute Campus, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why Should I Take This Course?

Chinese brush painting is a traditional art form that beautifully depicts nature. In this course, we will focus on outdoor painting, combining the techniques of Shan Shui (mountain and water) with the stunning Scottish landscape.

Taking inspiration from the picturesque surroundings of Abden House, the main building of the Confucius Institute, this workshop will blend classroom-based instruction with outdoor sketching and painting, weather permitting. You’ll be guided through techniques for capturing the landscape with Chinese brushes and ink while learning to incorporate Scottish scenes into the art.

Live demonstrations will be provided, and the tutor will ensure you can apply the techniques effectively to your work. You are welcome to bring your own photo for inspiration.

What Does It Cover?

Chinese brush painting is a way to express beauty and a calming practice. It helps to reduce stress and increase focus. Take this opportunity to paint in nature and immerse yourself in the peaceful flow of the art form.

About the Teacher

This course will be led by Chi Zhang, an experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary The Art of Chinese Brush Painting. Chi was shortlisted for Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015, and her work has been projected across Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo.

For more information and to view Chi’s artwork, visit www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

Cost: £40

Booking & Further Information

To ensure the best learning experience, the class size is limited. Please complete the registration form HERE and payment can be made HERE

For more information or to arrange one-on-one tutorials or small group workshops, please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk.

 

Chinese & English Online Bilingual Tandem

Are you interested in practising your Chinese conversational skills with a native speaker? 

Are you looking for Chinese and English language exchange outside the classroom?

If you answer YES our Online Bilingual Tandem is the perfect place for you!

Chinese & English language tandem session is an opportunity to practice your language skills and make new friends with the same interests. Each tandem session is topic-based and a chance for the students of the Confucius Institute for Scotland, which aims to bring together people who speak different languages to share their knowledge in an informal and friendly environment.

A maximum capacity of eight people for each session has been set to optimise the experience – so space is very limited!

Key Information: 

Event dates: 26th February, 5th & 12th March

Time: 12oon – 13:00

Format: Online via Zoom

Booking: Please register via Eventbrite HERE

Chinese Brush Painting workshop – Lotus and fish

Key Information:

Date & Time: 10.00 am – 3.00pm / Saturday 26 April 2025

Student level: This course is suitable for both beginners and advanced students.

Location: This class will be delivered in person at the Confucius Institute campus, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why should I take this course?

By controlling the special soft brush with a sharp point, Chinese brush painting is a mental exercise and a physical exercise that coordinates the mind and the body. Join this course to learn brush-handling techniques and paint some interesting subjects. Lotus represents the ultimate purity of the heart and mind and perfection. Koi fish, black or red, also represent wealth, success and popularity.

What does it cover?

This one-day workshop will introduce you to the traditional techniques of using soft brushes and ink to create bird subjects. Under the tutor’s guidance, you can choose to paint birds such as orioles, magpies, or cranes, as demonstrated during the session.

About the teacher:

This course will be led by Chi Zhang – an experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary ‘The Art of Chinese Brush Painting’, shortlisted for ‘Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015’, whose work has been projected across Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo. For more information and to see Chi’s work, please visit http://www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

£40 (all materials will be included)

Booking & Further information:

To optimise the learning experience, a maximum capacity has been set per group – so space is limited! To secure one of the limited spaces on this course, please use the online registration form to book your place.

One-to-one tutorials and small group workshops can also be arranged. Please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk for more info.

 

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop – Birds, Saturday, 29 March 2025

Key Information

Date & Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Saturday, 29 March 2025

Student Level: This workshop is suitable for both beginners and advanced students.

Location: This class will be delivered in person at the Confucius Institute Campus, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why Should I Take This Course?

Chinese brush painting is a mental and physical exercise, requiring control of the brush while harmonising the mind and body. In this course, you will learn essential brush-handling techniques to create beautiful bird paintings. In Chinese culture, bird subjects, including orioles, magpies, and cranes, symbolise joy, good fortune, and longevity.

What Does It Cover?

This one-day workshop will teach the traditional techniques of Chinese brush painting, focusing on using soft brushes and ink to depict birds. The tutor will guide you through the process, offering the option to paint a variety of bird species, such as orioles, magpies, and cranes.

About the Teacher

The workshop will led by Chi Zhang, a highly experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary The Art of Chinese Brush Painting. Chi was shortlisted for Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015, and her work was projected onto Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo. For more information and to explore Chi’s art, visit www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

Cost £40 (all materials will be included)

Booking & Further Information

To ensure an optimal learning experience, the class size is limited. To secure one of the available spaces, please register and make the payment HERE 

For additional information or to arrange one-on-one tutorials or small group workshops, please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk.

FREE Chinese language taster session for UoE students starting from 27th February, 2-4pm

We are delighted to share that our 5-week Chinese language taster session for UoE students starts from 27th February, 2025.

This in-person course is aimed at learners who have no prior knowledge of the Chinese language. Running for 10 hours over 5 weeks, two hours each session. This course takes learners through basic expressions needed in typical conversational situations. Pronunciation and communicative practice will be the focus of this course.

By the end of the course, students will have started to tune in to the sounds of the Chinese language and the tones and have learned some basic phrases used in for social interaction.

Date & Time: Thursdays from 27th February – 27th March, 2-4pm 

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

This FREE course is open to UoE students only. Please reserve your place HERE  by using your UoE email address and student number.

Conversational Chinese starting from 24th February, 2025

We are delighted to announce that our five-week language course – the Chinese Conversational classes, will start again on 24th February.  This winter, we offer Monday lunchtime online oral sessions to meet our students’ popular demand and interest alongside the in-person sessions on Wednesday evenings.

These courses are for those who want to spend some dedicated time practising their Chinese oral skills and consolidating their conversation skills. It will help students with different language levels develop well-balanced speaking and listening competence by learning and applying Chinese communicative skills in a specific professional or cultural context.

Please register by completing the Registration Form HERE

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Monday lunchtime, Online via Zoom

Conversational Chinese – Elementary level 

Date: Monday, 24th February – 24th March

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Online via Zoom

Conversational Chinese – Intermediate level

Date: Monday, 24th February – 24th March

Time: 12noon – 13:30

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location:  Online via Zoom

****************************************************************

Wednesday evening, in-person

Conversational Chinese – Elementary level 

Date: Wednesday, 26th February – 26th March

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Confucius Institute Campus, No. 79 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5AL

Conversational Chinese – Intermediate level

Date: Wednesday, 26th February – 26th March

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Duration: 5 weeks, 5 sessions (1.5 hour each session)

Class size: maximum of six students

Price: £50/£40

Location: Confucius Institute Campus, No. 79 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh. EH16 5AL

 

5 week – Chinese Brush Painting Class – February & March, 2025

Key Information

Date & Time: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm / Wednesday 19 & 26 February, 5, 12 & 19 March 2025

Student level: 

Open to all skill levels! Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, this class is tailored to meet your needs and help you progress at your own pace.

Location: 

This class will be delivered in person at the Confucius Institute campus, Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Why should I take this course?

This general Chinese brush painting class covers a variety of subjects, including fruits and vegetables, lotus and orchid flowers, birds, and fish. Beyond honing your artistic skills, Chinese painting offers meditative benefits and introduces you to a unique art form steeped in tradition.

What does it cover?

In this course, you’ll master fundamental techniques of Chinese brush painting, such as using the brush, ink, and paper effectively and practising essential strokes and styles.

You’ll also delve into the cultural and historical significance of Chinese painting and its influence on other artistic traditions.

About the teacher:

This course will be led by Chi Zhang – an experienced instructor featured in the BBC documentary ‘The Art of Chinese Brush Painting’, shortlisted for ‘Sky TV Landscape Artist of the Year 2015’, whose work has been projected across Edinburgh Castle during the 2015 Military Tattoo. For more information and to see Chi’s work, please visit http://www.chizhangartist.com.

How much does it cost?

£100  (all materials will be included)

Booking & Further information:

To optimise the learning experience, a maximum capacity has been set per group – so space is very limited! – Fully booked 

One-to-one tutorials and small group workshops can also be arranged. Please email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk for more info.

“My Chinese Journey” 2025 Chinese Speech Contest

We are excited to announce the upcoming “My Chinese Journey” Chinese Speech Contest which will take place in March 2025! This competition aims to encourage participants to showcase their Chinese speaking skills and promote cultural learning. We welcome everyone who meets the criteria to join us in this exciting event! Below are the details for participation.

Date: 1pm-4pm, Friday, 28th March, 2025

Venue: Confucius Institute for Scotland, Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP.

Topic: My Chinese Journey

Form: Participants shall deliver a 3-minute speech in Mandarin on the topic of My Chinese Journey, including a brief self-introduction.

Eligibility

Entrants must be over 14 years old and non-native speakers of Mandarin Chinese who are learning Chinese as a foreign language.

Judging Criteria

For speeches, scores will be based on the following criteria:

  • Content: Participants will be judged on the richness of the message conveyed and the extent to which they demonstrate understanding of that message.
  • Vocab and grammar: Vocabulary and grammatical structures should be appropriate. Perfect grammar is not necessary, as long as structures are mainly Chinese, rather than English.
  • Fluency: There should be evidence that candidates can speak fluently without too much memorisation.
  • Pronunciation: Pronunciation should be comprehensible and clear enough for a native speaker of Mandarin to understand.
  • Physical presence and stage appearance: Judges will also consider the overall performance of a contestant.

How to Register:

Download the registration form HERE

Please return the completed registration form to info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk by 7th March 2025

Awards and Prizes

Each and every contestant will receive one of the following awards based on their performances:

First Place: £100 gift voucher plus a certificate

Second Place: £75 gift voucher plus a certificate

Third Place: £50 gift voucher plus a certificate

Participation Award: All the rest of the contestants will receive a participation certificate and a gift.

Further Information:

Please get in touch by email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk if you have any further questions.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Creativity!

Event details:

Date & Time: Thursday, 23rd January, 5-6.30pm

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

Join us for a FREE calligraphy session to create your own Fu – the Chinese character for “Good Luck” or “Good Fortune,” a meaningful symbol often displayed during the Lunar New Year and other festive occasions.

Chinese calligraphy is one of China’s oldest and most treasured visual art forms. Practising calligraphy and painting is a calming and meditative activity and promotes well-being and longevity. By mastering the soft, pointed brush, you’ll engage in an exercise that harmonizes the mind and body.

Whether a beginner or simply curious, this session offers a perfect introduction to Chinese calligraphy.

Spaces are limited, so register online HERE to secure your spot!

Exploring Suzhou Jiangnan Culture – Hybrid Event

Join us on Thursday, 28th November, for a hybrid event to explore Suzhou Jiangan Culture.

Suzhou is a historical and cultural city in China. It is the birthplace of Wu culture and has a history spanning over 4,000 years from the earliest written records. Located at the heart of ancient China’s cultural and economic centre, Suzhou has long been known for the saying, “Heaven is above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below.” The city has nurtured numerous intangible cultural heritage items, such as Kunqu opera and Suzhou embroidery, reflecting the profound depth of Chinese civilization.

Event details

Date/Time: Thursday, 28th November, 10am-12noon

Location: Abden House, 1 Marchhall Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 5HP

Event type: Hybrid

The event is free, but booking is required. Please reserve your place HERE