Chinese New Year entertainment for fundraising dinne

Chinese New Year entertainment will feature in a special Swansea fundraising dinner next month.

A Chinese young musician, a Chinese children’s choir and a traditional Chinese lion dance are among the entertainment organised for the event at the Brangwyn Hall on the evening of Friday February 5.

The fundraising dinner being arranged by Swansea Council is aimed at raising enough money to send an exhibition about Griffith John to China’s Wuhan province.

John, a 19th Century Swansea missionary, spent over half a century in China, setting up a number of schools, hospitals and colleges, many of which are still in use today. He also became known for missionary journeys deep into the heart of mainland China. While there, John translated the New Testament and part of the Old Testament into a number of Chinese dialects.

The exhibition that could soon be on its way to the Far East is currently in storage at Swansea Museum. It includes a number of objects which John donated to the museum, including a set of satin Chinese banners and ceremonial Chinese weapons. The display also includes letters Griffith John sent from China, as well as an original manuscript of his biography.

The fundraising dinner, being hosted by Mal Pope and Kev Johns, will feature a Chinese inspired menu, using fresh and locally-sourced produce. It’s being held within days of the start of the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Monkey.

Chris Foxall, a Swansea businessman who’s helping lead the fundraising charge, said: “Chinese New Year is celebrated all over the world – it’s one of the most exciting events in the festivities calendar.

“Swansea has a special relationship with China, and the tireless work of Griffith John in health and education continues to pay dividends for the people of China today. There will be plenty of traditional Chinese entertainment, with a unique Swansea twist to proceedings. It will be a very special event, as local businesses, city stakeholders and the Chinese community come together to network, say goodbye to the Year of the Sheep and celebrate the incoming Year of the Monkey.”

The fundraising event will also help build on the strong relationships between Swansea’s universities and China, with many Chinese students currently studying in the city. This includes the University of Wales Trinity St David, which has longstanding links with the Wuhan University of Technology.

The university’s Confucius Institute is one of the many Swansea-based organisations supporting the Chinese New Year event.

Executive Director Krystyna Krajewska said: “Wales has a long history of connections with China. Griffith John is an outstanding Welshman whose achievements in Wuhan deserve celebration. The fundraising event is also a celebration of the close present day relationship between China and Wales through links with businesses and the many schools who take part in the Confucius Institute Chinese language and culture programme. We wish all involved a very Happy Year of the Monkey.”

Contact Swansea Council for ticket information on special.events@swansea.gov.uk or 01792 635102.