Hastings Library celebrates NZ Chinese Language Week

New Zealand Chinese Language Week returns this year from September 22 to 28, and Hastings Library is excited to partner with the community to celebrate.

Collaborating with the Hawke’s Bay Chinese Association, Multicultural Association Hawke’s Bay, and Welcoming Communities, the library will host a series of fun events designed to explore Chinese language and culture.

“We hope both the Chinese and wider communities will come along and take part in this celebration of language and unity,” said Mina Ching of the Hawke's Bay Chinese Association.

Hastings district councillor Kevin Watkins said that given Hastings' rich history of Chinese settlement and its long-standing sister-city relationship with Guilin, this celebration holds special significance.

Event Highlights:

• Chinese Community-Led Storytime: Kicking off the week, the community will host a storytime featuring readings in both Mandarin and Cantonese.
• Children’s Picture Book Display: Over 100 beautiful picture books, gifted by China’s Centre for Language and Education and Cooperation, will be on display throughout the week.
• Chinese 101: Drop-in sessions for learning new phrases, translating your name, or discovering your Chinese zodiac sign. Suitable for all ages, these sessions will run in the morning and afternoon on three different weekdays.

Special Events:

• Mooncake Festival (Tuesday 24th): Join us for a slightly delayed celebration of this traditional festival. Sample mooncakes and make a Chinese lantern to carry in a parade around Civic Square.

• National Dumpling Day (Thursday 26th): Don’t miss the Dumpling Demonstration. Learn to make dumpling wrappers, fill and fold them, and of course, taste your creations. Spaces are limited, so register online via the library’s website.

  Additional Resources:

  Hastings Library offers a variety of resources to explore China’s language, culture, and history.

  Language kits, dictionaries, and online platforms such as LanguageNut (offering both Mandarin Pinyin and Traditional Chinese) and Lote4Kids (with children’s books in Mandarin and Cantonese) are available for continued learning.

  Additionally, explore Chinese-themed films via Beamafilm, the library’s streaming service, perfect for enjoying Chinese Language Week from home.

  For more information, pick up a Chinese Language Week flyer from the library or visit www.hastingslibraries.co.nz.

12 September 2024

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