LCI celebrates Chinese New Year with their annual Gala

Published on 29 January 2025

LCI kicked off the Chinese New Year celebrations last week with a gala, hosted at the Tung Auditorium, on Sunday 26th January 2025.

This year’s gala was themed around cultural collaboration and brought together local groups and students who showcased Chinese culture and their own creativity. A pre-show VIP reception was filled with the sound Rainhill Community Choir, the LCI Children’s Choir and the visual feat of hip-hop dance.

LCI Children’s Choir singing at the VIP pre-show reception.

The gala officially started with a lion dance from the Jinlong Cultural and Performing Arts, who also left the audience spellbound with a delicate umbrella dance, martial arts and graceful Chinese ballet, before closing the evening with a dragon dance. The gala’s hosts Billy Hui (BBC Radio) and Yuqiao Cai, commented on the importance of the work organisations such as Jinlong undertake, as they preserve cultural heritage and pass it on to the next generation.

“The applause in the room after each performance spoke volumes.”
Kim O’Brien - Executive Editor of Educate, Founder of the Educate Awards, Managing Director at CPMM Media Group

Audiences were also treated to performances by Liverpool Hope University and University of Liverpool music students, Cardinal Heenan High School and Pagoda Chinese Youth Orchestra, along with other organisations.

A group photo of all of the performers, community groups and students with Dr Penny Ding (Artistic Director, Producer and Deputy Director of LCI) and Jo Walls (Creative Producer and Stage Manager Liverpool Hope University)

Representatives from the People’s Republic of China Manchester, Consul General Tang Rui, the Lord Mayor, Richard Kemp CBE and Professor Richard Black, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool were among the event’s special guests.

“This event is quickly becoming one of our favourite highlights of the year. We were truly inspired by the incredible talent on display and loved the opportunity to share our songs with such a wonderful audience.”
Jane Fleming, Jelli Studio

“It was such a privilege for the boys to enhance their culture capital by experiencing such wonderful high calibre performances and gain a broader understanding of Chinese Arts and history.”
Donna Jones, Cardinal Heenan

Students from Cardinal Heenan High School performing at the gala.

Year of the Snake

This year, we celebrate the Year of the Snake, which comes once every 12 years. According to legend, the snake came sixth in the zodiac race. During the race, the snake, as a poor swimmer, attached itself to the horse’s leg.

People born in the Year of the Snake are considered to have wisdom, charm, and strong intuition.

From all of the LCI team, we wish you a happy Year of the Snake.