Bringing in the Year of the Monkey in style

To welcome the Year of the Monkey there was a Chinese musical showcase featuring children from St Flannan’s, Holy Family and St Machan’s primary schools, St Ninian’s pupils, members of the local Chinese community and musicians from Harmony Chinese Music Ensemble.

They displayed the wide ranging talents and skills honed through the work of East Dunbartonshire’s Confucius Hub, based in St Ninian’s.

The programme was performed for an audience of 350 - including Provost Una Walker, Glasgow University Confucius Institute manager Duo Long, Scotland Musician Union Chairman Eddie McGuire and other special guests.

It included traditional Chinese performances such as dragon and lion dancing, traditional music and drama, as well as more modern Chinese performances of break dancing, kung fu dancing and singing.

The show finished with the 2008 Beijing Olympic theme song ‘You and Me’ being sung in Mandarin and English.

A spokesperson said: “All who attended the show were impressed with pupils’ talent in learning Chinese language and culture and the feedback from the wider audience watching via live broadcasting on Glow has been very positive.

“Pupils who took part in the show all have enjoyed their experience.”