On the morning of February 8, 2025, the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia aired a special Lantern Festival program on the “Chinese in the Air” section of Liberia Broadcasting System, marking a perfect ending to its series of Chinese New Year celebrations.
The program was also broadcast live on the official Facebook page of the country’s broadcaster the Liberia Broadcasting System (ELBC FM99.9), thus attracting a large audience.
With a melodious Chinese folk tune “Blooming Flowers and Full Moon”, Confucius Institute teachers Huang Yu, Samuel K. Deyekeh, and Boakai Karllon Wilson began to guide listeners on a journey to explore the culture of the Lantern Festival. The program offered a variety of knowledge about the festival’s origins and traditional customs, with the help of videos and music highlighting its deep historical significance and modern charm.
Confucius Institute teachers Huang Yu, Samuel K. Deyekeh, and Boakai Karllon Wilson
During the program, the hosts introduced Lantern Festival traditions such as appreciating lantern displays, solving riddles, and eating yuanxiao and tangyuan （sweet rice dumplings）. They also explained the differences between yuanxiao and tangyuan, their making methods, and showcased traditional performances like the dragon and lion dances, vividly recreating the festive atmosphere. Notably, they read and analyzed the famous Song Dynasty poem Sheng Cha Zi – Lantern Festival Night by Ouyang Xiu, leading listeners to appreciate classical Chinese poetry’s beauty and artistic charm.
Throughout the program, audience hotline calls poured in, with listeners enthusiastically sharing their newly acquired knowledge about the Lantern Festival and asking some interesting questions. Many expressed gratitude for the program, which deepened their understanding of Chinese culture and sparked their interest in traditional Chinese festivals. They eagerly anticipate more programs like this in the future.
As one of the flagship initiatives of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia, Chinese in the Air is dedicated to teaching the Chinese language and sharing the richness of Chinese culture with Liberian people. By integrating cultural exhibitions and interactive activities, the program aims to help Liberian audiences gain a deeper understanding of Chinese traditional festivals and to further promote cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Liberia.
SOURCE: Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia.
