Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration: The Moon Shines On Us All

Date: Thursday 9th October 2025
Time: Doors open at 7:00pm
Pre-event and Mooncakes Tasting: 7:00 - 7:30pm
Main Performance: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Venue: Firth Hall, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, S10 2TN
Admission: Free. (Places are limited. )
 

About the Event

Join us for an enchanting evening celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time of reflection, reunion, and appreciation of the harvest moon.

Hosted by the Confucius Institute, this celebration brings together traditional Chinese culture and the vibrant community of Sheffield. The festival is a true collaboration with local renowned organisations, artists, and university students, showcasing the cultural richness and diversity of our city.

Expect an inspiring evening filled with music, dance, and performances that bridge tradition and modern creativity.

Programme

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Pre-Show & Mooncake Reception
Enjoy traditional mooncakes and cultural displays introducing the history and meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Main Performance
A captivating evening of dance, music, singing and poetry featuring:

• Confucius Institute – host of the celebration, presenting the cultural festival through poetry, talks, and an interactive quiz.
• Wanlin Academy of Dance & Performing Arts & Beijing Dance Academy Alumni Organisation UK – graceful and dynamic Chinese dance.
• Aurora Echo Music – enchanting live music blending traditional and contemporary sounds.
• Local students and artists – creative contributions showcasing Sheffield’s community spirit.

Event Flyer

Click to download the event flyer. 

Dance Performances

Presented by Wanlin Academy of Dance & Performing Arts (婉琳舞蹈与表演艺术学院) and the Beijing Dance Academy Alumni Organisation of the UK C.I.C. (北京舞蹈学院英国校友会), the dance programme highlights the elegance and heritage of Chinese performing arts.

1. Beauty of Tang Dynasty 中国古典舞《国色》群舞      

With a round fan in hand, the dancers unfold in movements as graceful as the blossoming of a pristine and noble hibiscus, capturing the essence of the understated elegance that defined the beauties of the Tang dynasty. 

舞者手执团扇起舞，似纯洁高雅的芙蓉花绽放，展现唐代古典美人含蓄风雅的典型特征。

2. Beauty of Qing Dynasty 中国古典舞《清风徐来》群舞

Classical Dance - Gentle Breeze Arrives. Inspired by Qing Dynasty paintings, this performance beautifully showcases the grace and elegance of women in historical Chinese art. Using fans as cultural symbols, it expresses the refined beauty and harmonious ideals of the time.

古典舞-清风徐来灵感来自清代绘画，该舞蹈精美地展现了中国历史艺术中女性的优雅之美。舞者手持折扇作为文化象征，表达当时的典雅风尚和和谐理想。

3 .Flying Apsara中国古典舞《伎乐飞天》群舞

Dunhuang Classical Dance-Flying Apsara. Inspired by Dunhuang murals and Indian mythology, this dance symbolizes the pursuit of love, freedom, and beauty. Through ethereal movements and expressive gestures, it evokes the spiritual essence of ancient art.

敦煌古典舞-伎乐飞天灵感来自敦煌壁画和印度神话，该舞蹈象征着对爱、自由和美的追求。通过飘逸的动作和富有表现力的肢体表达，展现古代艺术的精神魅力。

Music Performances

The evening also features captivating live music by Aurora Echo Music (极光回声音乐), blending traditional melodies with contemporary expression.

1. A Song for Peaceful and Tranquil Times《清平调三章》

Soprano and Piano- Qing Ping Tune – Three Movements, a musical triptych based on the verses of Li Bai. The First movement portrays a graceful lady, the second a blossoming Flower, and in the third, beauty and bloom become one. It is a journey from image to essence, where love is both seen.

这三首作品出自李白《清平调》。第一章写人，第二章写花，第三章则人花合一，情景交融。诗意层层递进，展现出诗人凝眸中的动人深情。

2. Butterflies Lingering over Flowers《蝶恋花•阅尽天涯离别苦》

Soprano and Piano- Butterfly Loves the Flower expresses the sorrow of parting and the ache of longing. The words are tender, the music wistful, like a gentle tide pulling us into memory. Every pause holds a farewell; every note, a distant echo.

王国维笔下的《蝶恋花》，写尽离愁与思念。旋律如梦如诉，情感层层叠叠，余韵无穷。

3. The Lantern Festival Night《青玉案•元夕》

Soprano and Piano- Green Jade Table – Lantern Festival Night tells of a search through thousands of lanterns for one soul that lingers in the heart. It is a night of light and longing, where the past meets the present in a single glance.

万灯流转，独他不见。辛弃疾笔下的元夕之夜，是一场追寻的旅程，灯火阑珊，情意无尽。

4. The Yue Folk’s Song《越人歌》

Violin and Piano - The Song of the Yue Boatman is one of the oldest known songs in Chinese history, sung in the extinct Yue language. Ethereal and haunting, the music reaches across millennia, echoing from the roots of civilization.

这首作品来自中国最早的译音古歌，以失传越语吟唱，旋律空灵悠远，遥应山水人情之源。

5.  Sent North in Night Rain《夜雨寄北》

Violin and Piano - “Sent North in Night Rain” expresses longing and sorrow; emotions run deep on a rainy night, with a poignant, touching atmosphere.

《夜雨寄北》表达离愁别绪，雨夜寄情，情感深沉，意境凄美，触动心灵。

6. Dance of the Yi People《彝族舞曲》

The pipa solo-   Dance of the Yi People blends ethnic characteristics with modern techniques. Its lively melody and brisk rhythm vividly portray the rich culture and vibrant life of the Yi people.

琵琶独奏《彝族舞曲》融合民族特色与现代技巧，旋律热烈奔放，节奏明快，展现浓郁彝族风情与生活气息。

Our Performance Partners and Artists

Wanlin Academy of Dance & Performing Arts (婉琳舞蹈与表演艺术学院) 

Wanlin Academy of Dance & Performing Artists  is led by Wanlin Luo Steele, a professional Chinese dancer, choreographer, and performer based in Sheffield. A graduate of the renowned Beijing Dance Academy, Wanlin has received numerous accolades, including the Best Performance Award at the prestigious Taoli Cup. She has represented China at major international cultural events, such as the King’s Birthday celebrations in Thailand and national broadcasts on Chinese television. Her dance troupe has also been featured at London’s MOVE IT Festival, where they were the only Asian group invited to both perform and teach.

婉琳舞蹈与表演艺术学院由罗婉琳创办并担任艺术总监，她是一位常驻谢菲尔德的职业舞蹈家、编舞家与表演艺术家。婉琳毕业于著名的北京舞蹈学院，曾荣获桃李杯最佳表演奖等多项殊荣。她多次代表中国参加国际重要文化活动，包括泰国国王生日庆典及中国国家电视台的节目演出。她所率领的舞蹈团也曾亮相伦敦MOVE IT舞蹈节，成为唯一受邀表演并授课的亚洲团队。

Beijing Dance Academy Alumni Organisation of the UK C.I.C. (北京舞蹈学院英国校友会) 

Beijing Dance Academy Alumni Organisation of the UK C.I.C.  brings together graduates of Beijing Dance Academy living in the UK, fostering a platform for artistic exchange, academic dialogue, and cultural collaboration between China and the UK. The organisation supports the professional growth of alumni, promotes the innovation and global sharing of Chinese dance, and contributes to deeper mutual understanding through cross-cultural engagement.

北京舞蹈学院英国校友会（Beijing Dance Academy Alumni Organisation of the UK C.I.C.）联结在英北舞校友，致力于搭建中英之间舞蹈艺术、学术对话与文化交流的平台。支持校友的专业发展，推动中国舞蹈的传承创新与国际传播，通过跨文化互动促进中英民众的相互理解与友谊。

Aurora Echo Music (极光回声音乐) 

Aurora Echo Music is a UK-based company uniting professional musicians from across the country to create a diverse, international platform for global musical talent. Through concert recordings, solo recitals, album releases, and studio productions, the company supports artists in expanding their global outlook, driving innovation, and fostering cross-cultural exchange.

极光回声公司(Aurora Echo Music )联合全英音乐家团队，旨在为全球音乐人才提供一个多元、国际化的创作平台。通过搭建演出实录、个人音乐会、发行唱片和录制作品等专业活动，帮助并培养具有国际观、创新精神和跨文化交流能力的音乐人。

Chia-Hsin Lin 林佳欣, Director of Aurora Echo Music | Violinist | Music Educator

A UK Global Talent Artist, Lin performs at prestigious venues including the International Lake District Music Festival and Chatsworth House. She directs cross- cultural music initiatives while developing specialised SEND/PMLD music pedagogy programs. As both a concert violinist and arts leader, she bridges performance, education, and social innovation through Aurora Echo Music's international collaborations.

Aurora Echo Music 艺术总监｜小提琴家｜音乐教育家

身为英国全球人才艺术家，佳欣曾于英国国际湖区音乐节、查茨沃斯庄园等知名舞台演出。她致力于推动跨文化音乐计划，同时发展专为特殊教育需求（SEND）及重度/深度学习障碍（PMLD）设计的音乐教学法。作为演奏家与艺术领导者，她透过 Aurora Echo Music 的国际合作，将音乐表演、教育与社会创新紧密连结。

Hailu Ni 倪海露, Soprano, Opera Performer, PhD Student in Musicology

Hailu, a soprano from China, is currently a final-year PhD student in Musicology at the University of Manchester.She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Master's Degree of Music Performance Studies. Hailu, a dedicated and passionate soprano with an enchanting voice, has soulful and ethereal vocals that provide a wonderful listening experience that is pleasant, airy, and enjoyable.

海露，女高音歌唱家、歌剧表演艺术家、音乐学博士研究生, 来自中国的女高音歌唱家，现为曼彻斯特大学音乐学博士研究生。她硕士毕业于谢菲尔德大学，音乐表演研究专业。海露是一位专注而充满激情的女高音，拥有迷人的嗓音，其深情的演唱带来美妙的聆听体验——悦耳、轻盈、令人愉悦。

Shiqi Li 李诗琪, Piano

Chichi Li is a collaborative pianist with extensive performance experience in the UK, China, and the US. She holds a Master of Performance in Piano Accompaniment with Distinction from the Royal Northern College of Music, where she studied under David Jones and Kathryn Stott. She has appeared at major venues including Wigmore Hall, Manchester Cathedral, and the International Clarinet Association’s Low Clarinet Festival in Arizona. Currently a collaborative pianist at the University of Sheffield, she is highly sought after for her versatility across vocal, wind, and string repertoire.

李诗琪是一位活跃于英国、中国及美国的合作钢琴家。她以优异成绩毕业于英国皇家北方音乐学院钢琴伴奏硕士，师从David Jones和Kathryn Stott。她的演出足迹遍及Wigmore Hall、曼彻斯特大教堂，以及美国国际单簧管协会低音单簧管艺术节。现为谢菲尔德大学音乐系合作钢琴家，擅长声乐、管乐及弦乐等多领域合作，深受广泛赞誉。

Yifei Zhou 周艺斐

Graduated from the School of Music of Zhengzhou University in Henan Province, member of the Pipa Association of Henan Province, participated in the National Orchestral Competition and won the first prize, graduated from the Department of Music of Sheffield in the UK and obtained the Master's Degree, hoping to realize the true ‘Harmonious Resonance’ in the pursuit of music.

河南省郑州大学音乐学院毕业，河南省琵琶协会成员，曾参与过全国管弦乐大赛并获得一等奖，硕士毕业于谢菲尔德音乐系，希望在追求音乐的路上达到真正的“和谐共鸣”。

Under the same bright moon, we come together to celebrate creativity, unity, and the shared beauty of our cultures.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact the Confucius Institute at the University of Sheffield:
📧 Email: confucius@sheffield.ac.uk
📞 Phone: 0114 222 8447 / 0114 222 8332