This year, Bevois Town were invited to take part in the Chinese Lantern Festival in Southampton, which marks the official closing of the 2023 Chinese New Year Celebrations: Year of the Rabbit. We were asked to select a few lucky children to represent the school. 

Like many Chinese New Year customs, the Lantern Festival promoted togetherness; where family and friends reunite amidst the glow of many lanterns. This year, UK Shaolin and 'We Community' brought these beloved celebrations to Southampton City.

Throughout the day, the children took part in a number of exciting and unique workshops, all linked Chinese culture and the Lantern Festival celebrations. 

Chinese Craft Workshop

The children had the chance to create Lanterns and model Chinese animals and mythical creatures.

Kung Fu Workshop

Children were taught a series of Kung Fu moves that they would later perform in Guildhall Square for the crowd.

Chinese Calligraphy Workshop

The children had the chance to learn and practice the ancient art of Chinese Calligraphy. 

Chinese board game: Go- Workshop

The children had the chance to learn and play the ancient Chinese board game: Go.

Go is an abstract strategy board game for two players in which the aim is to surround more territory than the opponent. The game was invented in China more than 2,500 years ago and is believed to be the oldest board game continuously played to the present day.

The children....and adults became very competitive!!

Meeting the Mayor of Southampton

After the workshops, the children were presented with a certificate to mark their participation in the event by the Mayor of Southampton!

The Lantern Parade

The day culminated in the Lantern Parade, where the children followed a Chinese Dragon through the streets of Southampton to Guildhall Square, where they watched the traditional Dragon and Lion dances before performing their Kung Fu routine, and finally meeting the Dragon, face to face!

It was a very special day!