Lingnan University celebrates Chinese New Year at the Spring Festival x Heritage Salon
The event brought together over 500 students and staff to celebrate Chinese New Year, and combined dynamic displays of Hong Kong’s cultural heritage with a joyful celebration.
Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning at Lingnan University gives a speech.
Russian student Everstova Tatian plays the Vargan, a traditional Russian instrument.
Pan Bitai, a student from the Chinese Mainland, brings energy to the stage with a Latin dance.
Lingnan University celebrates Chinese New Year with its Spring Festival x Heritage Salon.
Exchange and non-local students from Turkey display some of their customs along with traditional snacks.
Eva Lu (left), a student from the Chinese Mainland, wishes everyone a prosperous Year of the Horse!
Students designed their own bags at the découpage workshop stand.
Participants appreciate the art of Kung Fu Tea.
A booth was set up by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs to promote Lingnan University’s official social media platforms and distribute free campus publications to staff and students.
A local master handcrafts a two-meter-tall traditional lantern.
Lingnan University welcomed in the Year of the Horse with a lively gathering on campus presenting Chinese traditions, innovations and festive celebrations. Organised by the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Global Education, the Spring Festival x Heritage Salon was held on 11 February 2026 at Kin Sun Square (a.k.a. Skylight), bringing together over 500 students and staff members to celebrate Chinese New Year with dynamic and joyful displays of intangible cultural heritage.
There were a rich line-up of performances and interactive stands manned by students from the Chinese Mainland, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, and the US. Highlights included specially curated stalls showcasing heritage crafts and folklore, and also student AI application projects. With so many Lingnan students and members of staff from different cultures, there was a shared sense of camaraderie and joy for the New Year.
The Office of Communications and Public Affairs also set up a booth to promote Lingnan University’s official social media platforms, and distributed free campus publications to staff and students.
In his speech, Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning at Lingnan University said “This splendid occasion allows you to admire the stunning two-metre paper lantern crafted by a local master artisan, savour the art of Kung Fu Tea, and taste traditional Chaozhou-style mooncakes. There are also stalls with traditional Chinese New Year food and customs, as well as presentations by non-local students on their own cultures. Please enjoy the New Year with its fresh beginnings and positive energy. I hope you will gain an appreciation of Chinese culture, and fully enjoy the festive atmosphere.”
As well as these cultural events at the Spring Festival x Heritage Salon, the Office of Student Affairs organised a series of similar activities this week in the “LingArt” Programme on the Promotion and Inheritance of Chinese Culture, including talks on the Yu Lan Festival and Ceramics, and a Naamyam performance.
Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University said “As the Chinese New Year approaches, we turn cheerfully from the past to welcome in the vibrant Year of the Horse. In Chinese tradition, the horse symbolises perseverance, self-improvement, loyalty, reliability, and auspicious progress. At this fresh start, may we embrace this spirit and move forward with the vigour of a galloping steed, aiming for new achievements.”
President Qin added looking ahead to 2026 that Lingnan will continue to champion the theme “Empowering the Future” by accelerating the integration of liberal arts education and cutting-edge science, thus enhancing our teaching, research, and community engagement. We will build on our innovative spirit and impact to provide our students with complete learning support and many different opportunities for development, thereby living out our motto of “Education for Service.”