Confucious Institute organized a formal celebration of the Chinese New Year

The Confucius Institute of the University of Banja Luka organized a formal celebration of the Chinese New Year with a rich cultural program and award ceremony for the winners of the contest “Lunar creativity 2025: design, fashion, photograph” on 29 January 2025.

This competition, opened in December last year, was dedicated to young people of 16 to 28, with the aim to present their perception of Chinese culture through digital tools and creative techniques. There were 58 young authors participating in three competition categories – digital GIF stickers, creative photography, and Virtual Fashion Show, with a total of 84 creations.

The winner in the category of digital GIF stickers was Anđela Marić, the first runner-up was Anastasija Šarenac, while Đorđe Blagojević won the third place. In the category of Creative photograph, the best work was by Ivana Dragosavac, while the second and third place, respectively, went to Milica Vujasin and Draženko Savić. In the category Virtual Fashion Show, the winner was Emina Puškar, followed by Barbara Drinić (second place) and Esma Škulj (third place).

According to the words of the Jury Chairperson, Docent Natalija Trivić, PhD, all the received works reflected the strong visual identity and motives of Chinese culture, with a particular emphasis on the symbolism of the year of Green wooden snake, which started on 29 January 2025, according to the Chinese calendar.

The Director of the Confucius Institute, Docent Ljiljana Stević, PhD, said that the Institute has been organizing the traditional commemoration of Chinese New Year for seven years now, and this year’s program was prepared in cooperation with Sinology students and the Academy of Arts.

“The interest in Chinese language and culture in Banja Luka is growing each year, and more and more students decide to go to China on exchange programs”, said Stević at the event held in the Students’ Cultural Centre of the University of Banja Luka, adding that Confucius institute actively organizes workshops, summer camps, and educational programs.

The Vice-Rector for Teaching Process, Students’ issues and Quality at the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Milica Balaban, PhD, stressed that the Confucius Institute is one of the most active organizational units within the University, especially when it comes to international cooperation.

The Chinese New Year, known also as the Spring Festival, is the most significant traditional holiday in China, symbolically celebrating the end of Winter and the beginning of a new life cycle. The year of the Green Snake will last until 16 February 2026, and in Chinese astrology this sign is connected to wisdom, strength, and transformation.

Photo: D. Desnica