Written by: Ayesha Amir
Posted on: February 27, 2025 | 
Chinese opera actors are praying for prosperity during the Lunar New Year.
On Tuesday, February 25, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) celebrated the Chinese Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year. At LUMS, the Centre for Chinese Legal Studies (CCLS) within the Sheikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL), and teamed up with the Culture Society to bring this event to life. It was held in the vicinity of the Law School building. The evening brought together cultural activities, delicious Chinese cuisine and fun activities, to create a memorable event.
Décor in Chinese color at LUMS Law School vicinity.
As no festive celebration is complete without food, this spring festival and new year celebratory event was no exception. Visitors were treated to a variety of Chinese delicacies, including steaming bowls of Chow mein, soft and delicious wrapped dumplings, and refreshing boba tea. The crisp weather that evening did justice to the steam rising from the food stall side, where everyone lined up to taste the comfort food. Not only were the food stalls a popular attraction, but the festival featured a variety of interactive stalls designed to immerse participants in Chinese cultural activities. The "Lost in Translation" booth challenged students to guess the meanings of Chinese phrases, offering a fun and educational experience. Along with that, the “Zodiac Battles” had students competing in three exciting challenges, with winners earning food vouchers as prizes.
Hongbao and Chinese character
One of the liveliest contests of the night was the Noodle Slurping Contest, where participants raced against each other to finish their noodles as quickly as possible, that too using chopsticks, much to the delight of onlookers. Another highlight was the Red Envelope Challenge, inspired by the traditional practice of giving red envelopes (hongbao) during the Chinese New Year, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.
Lantern calligraphy
However, one of the most standout moments of the evening was the Chinese calligraphy opportunity, where students got their own lanterns! The Lantern Art station invited students to decorate traditional lanterns or write Chinese characters on them. Lanterns are a key part of the Spring Festival, symbolizing hope and prosperity for the coming year. Many attendees enthusiastically engaged in this activity, taking home beautifully decorated lanterns as souvenirs of the evening. Firstly, they had the chance to choose a Chinese character symbolizing good wishes for the year to come, and calligraphed the chosen character onto the crepe paper lantern with gold glittering paint. Later, the students were pleasantly entertained and catered to by the esteemed Mr. Yin Bingquan, who is the Head of the Business Department at China Qinhuangdao Vocational and Technical College and Head of the China-Pakistan Exchange Center. With years of experience in calligraphy, Mr. Yin wrote the students’ names in Chinese for them. The onlookers were immersed in appreciating the artistry of how Mr. Yin drew the strokes of this beautiful Chinese script. While Mr. Yin wrote participants’ names in Chinese calligraphy, it created personalized keepsakes for them to take home.
Mr. Yin Bingquan
Along with other dignitaries, the event also saw participation from Mr. Du Yue, who is the Director of the Political Section at the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore. The presence of the dignitaries highlighted the strong cultural ties between China and Pakistan, furthering the importance of such celebrations within educational institutions like LUMS in fostering a cross-cultural understanding between the youth and students.
LUMS Culture Society played a key role in organizing the event.
As the evening of the event came to an end, students and faculty left the event with a deeper appreciation for Chinese traditions and an eagerness to continue exploring cultural connections. The Chinese Spring Festival celebration at LUMS was more than just an event – it was a testament to the university’s commitment to diversity and global engagement, bringing people together through food, art and shared experiences. With its lively atmosphere, engaging activities, and delicious food, this year's Spring Festival at LUMS proved to be an exciting celebration, setting the stage for even more cultural festivities in the future.
Chinese Spring Festival 2025 in Yokohama Chinatown.
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