The University of Birmingham’s China Institute is marking the Chinese New Year with the help of some world-class musicians.

Pianist Di Xiao, cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and guitarist Xiefei Yang will perform in the University’s Bramall Music Building to staff, students, partners and members of the Chinese community from across the West Midlands and beyond. The musical trio will help celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Sheep with traditional Chinese music that is set to transport the audience to the land of dragons and emperors.

Celebrations marking the Year of the Sheep will also include a networking lunch and a fair showcasing the University’s engagement with China, which ranges from research collaborations with some of China’s best universities to working alongside the municipal government in Guangzhou.

The University’s relationship with China dates back to its foundation. In fact, the first Chinese student joined the University in 1907 and there are now over 10,000 Chinese alumni.

The China Institute was launched in 2012 to gather together their wide-ranging research activities with Chinese partners and encourage inter-disciplinary research across the University that focuses on China. In addition to the Birmingham based Institute, the University established a presence in Shanghai in 2009 and opened the Guangzhou Centre in 2011, to host its activities in China.

Peter Clack, Director of International Relations, said:

‘Chinese New Year offers the perfect opportunity for the University of Birmingham to celebrate our proud and longstanding relationship with China. Our engagement with China spans 100 years and with many more exciting initiatives underway, we believe this intercultural friendship will go from strength to strength.

‘Our event will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about the University’s work in China and to meet others with a similar interest.’  

The Chinese New Year celebrations will take place in the Bramall Music Building Rotunda and Elgar Concert Hall on Friday 20 February from 11am until 2pm. Interested parties can register on the University’s website.