The CGE was absolutely buzzing with excitement on 9 Feb 2026, as we kicked off our annual Lunar New Year workshop! 🎉 We welcomed exchange students from Japan, the United Kingdom, Russia, and countless other corners of the globe to celebrate the Year of the Horse. 🐎🧧 The venue was a vibrant spectacle of radiant red, adorned with lanterns and captivating paper cuttings, creating the perfect backdrop for an afternoon filled with cultural immersion, creativity, and delicious delights! 🎊
First up—let’s talk about the food! Our table overflowed with classic festive treats: crispy egg rolls, crunchy almond strips, and melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies. Talk about a feast for the senses! ✨🥰 Then, the real fun began as we dove into our cultural craft stations! The calligraphy area was a delightful mix of concentration and laughter. It was heartwarming to see students pulling out their phones—not to scroll—but to search for heartfelt Lunar New Year blessings in Chinese, their faces adorably serious as they practiced their strokes! 🤓
What a beautiful fusion of cultures we witnessed! Some students infused their personal touch by adding blessings in their native languages. Picture this: a magnificent Spring Couplet embellished with elegant Japanese Kanji, bold Cyrillic script from Russia, and a cheerful “Happy New Year” in English—all dancing harmoniously on the same vibrant red paper! 🥰 It became a powerful symbol of unity and mutual respect.
Meanwhile, the stamp carving (“拓印”) station was all about creative expression. Students crafted their own rubber stamps featuring horses (perfect for the speedy Year of the Horse!), the classic “福” (fortune) character, and other lucky symbols. The satisfying *press* of their unique creations onto paper resulted in beautiful, personalized souvenirs.🧧🏮
A huge thank you to all our incredible exchange students for bringing your wonderful energy and open hearts. You made this celebration truly special! Here’s to a dynamic, prosperous, and joyful Year of the Horse!🧧🐎💨