On Friday 3 October 2025, iRise co-hosted a vibrant Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 — Zhōngqiū jié) with the Language Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. The event was a great success, bringing together more than 50 students, staff (including visiting scholars), and community partners together in the McClay Library Auditorium to celebrate this significant occasion in the eastern lunar calendar.

Despite severe weather that led some schools across Northern Ireland to close at noon, the celebration went ahead, and it was heart-warming to see colleagues attend, some with their school-age children. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and community spirit.

The programme opened with a graceful guzheng performance of Moon Rising High by PhD candidate Li Fei, followed by welcomes from Thomas Smith (Language Centre Manager) and Dr Bee-Yen Toh (iRise Co-Chair). Representatives from Queen’s Students’ Union—Mórrigan McEvoy (Student Officer for Accessible Education) and Claudia Liu (Chair of the International Students’ Association)—highlighted how the Union supports a student body representing 80+ countries and regions. A cultural display led by Li Fei featured a traditional tea and incense ceremony, while student volunteer Shiuh Ting Gho delighted guests with beautifully penned festival greetings in calligraphy.

True to the festival’s spirit of togetherness, attendees shared delicious mooncakes and enjoyed refreshments. It was wonderful to see staff of all backgrounds, including those from non-Chinese communities, enjoying this cultural delicacy. The event also provided a relaxed opportunity for students learning Mandarin to immerse themselves in the culture and practise their language skills.

For those who wish to know more, a full account of the activities, written by Dr Liang Wang, can be found on the Language Centre’s blog. As both our iRise event organiser and the Language Support Officer, Dr Wang was instrumental in the event’s success and provided cultural insights on the day.

This collaboration proved a beautiful and effective way to promote cultural exchange and strengthen bonds within our diverse university community, aligning perfectly with iRise’s mission. The positive feedback from attendees highlights the success of this initiative, and we look forward to future opportunities to support similarly impactful cultural events.

Photo credits: Tianpeng Yao (PhD candidate in Film) and Dr Liang Wang.