On November 21, 2020, CUG has been designated an institution to promote Dragon & Lion Dance by the Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Association.
CUG designated as an institution to promote Dragon & Lion Dance on November 21 2020
History of Dragon & Lion Dance goes back to the Han dynasty (2,000 years ago). Dragon & Lion Dance has been an important part of the Chinese culture, as well as an indispensable tradition at Chinese New Year celebration. In some parts of China, each village has its own Dragon & Lion Dance team(s). For oversea Chinese, Dragon & Lion Dance has even become a symbol of the community’s identity.
CUG organized its first student Dragon Dance Team in 2003 by Prof. HU, Kai (from School of Sports Science and Physical Education). Since then Dragon & Lion Dance has been offered as a folk sports and elective course to CUG students.
Its unique Chinese elements and the nature of a folk sports have helped Dragon & Lion Dance become very popular among CUG international students.
CUG international students at the 2019 Dragon & Lion Dance Competition
And due to the sports’ ascending popularity around globe, CUG has also helped its international partner universities to form their own Dragon & Lion Dance teams. Prof. HU has travelled to Bryant University, USA, Alfred University, USA, and Veliko Turnovo University, Bulgaria, all three CUG partner universities, many times and helped build and train their Dragon Dance teams.
A Bulgarian pupil’s impression of China, the painting was done by a language student of the Confucius Institute at Veliko Turnovo University in 2015
Bryant University Dragon dance team at the 2013 International Dragon & Lion Dance Competition
Bryant University Dragon Dance Team at Waterfire, Providence, RI, USA
Dragon Dance at Waterfire, Providence, RI, USA
Lion Dance at Waterfire, Providence, RI, USA
With support from the Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance Association, Prof. HU and her team plan to create and produce a new set of teaching materials for international participants and continue to popularize the sports among CUG students and neighboring communities.
(by en.cug.edu.cn editors team)
