Monrovia, Liberia – The University of Liberia’s (UL) Confucius Institute held the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year Gala on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Beginning with the Chinese Lunar New Year Gala in 2025, also known as the Spring Festival Gala, the Chinese New Year officially begins as the Year of the Snake. It draws millions of people both in China and abroad, making it one of the most viewed television shows in the world.
The gala usually include a variety of performances, such as dance, music, acrobatics, comedy sketches, and more. Professor Zhou Hangzhuan, coordinator of the Confucus Institute at the University of Liberia, which has had numerous important effects on Liberian education, enhancing language learning, academic collaboration, and cultural exchange, traditional Chinese arts, all infused with themes of family unity, prosperity, and good fortune.
“As the Year of the Snake is celebrated in 2025, expect performances that honor the wisdom and transformational symbolism of the Snake as well as the joyous spirit of renewal that comes with the new year by fusing traditional Chinese cultural elements with modern styles,” Professor Zhou said.
During the Chinese Year of the Snake festival in 2025, Liberian students showcased worldwide collaborations and performances that incorporated traditional Chinese cultural components with modern styles, reflecting China’s increasing global impact and cultural interchange.
Professor Zhou Hangzhuan further provided that the event aims to bring joy, hope, and unity to Chinese communities worldwide, marking a fresh start for the new year and reinforcing the importance of cultural heritage, adding that Liberia is no exception.
The Confucius Institute’s coordinator, Professor Zhou Hangzhuan, encouraged Liberian students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Confucius Institute, which offers the Chinese language Chinese language courses and aims to promote Chinese culture and language by giving students the chance to learn one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
According to her, Confucus Institute graduates have the opportunity to work as interpreters and in other roles for Chinese businesses in Liberia. a claim that China has emerged as a significant actor in world politics, economics, and relations.
China and Liberia now have closer educational links due to the Confucius Institute at UL. The University of Liberia’s staff and students have had the chance to visit China for more research and study through a number of academic exchange programs. In a variety of academic domains, such as business, education, science, and technology, these exchanges support international collaboration, broaden scholarly perspectives, and raise global awareness.
Liberian students have benefited greatly from scholarship possibilities offered by the Confucius Institute to study in China. With financial aid for tuition, living expenses, and other educational fees, many of the students who took part in these programs have since continued their education in Chinese universities. Through this scholarship program, China and Liberia’s bilateral ties are strengthened and a skilled labor force is developed in Liberia.
Teaching tools and educational materials, especially those pertaining to Chinese language instruction, have been developed in part by the Confucius Institute. By giving educators and learners access to current textbooks, multimedia resources, and other learning aids, these resources have contributed to the improvement of language education in Liberia.
