On the afternoon of March 3, Hainan University (HNU) hosted a campus carnival celebrating the Lantern Festival and the upcoming International Women’s Day at the First Sports Ground. The event was attended by Chair of HNU Council Li Hu and President Luo Qingming, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with university leaders Zhang Jiyou, Gao Diangong, Qiu Xiguang, He Yong, Zou Yonghua, Liu Qian, Yue Wen and Yang Zhixin.
Hainan University hosts 2026 Lantern Festival & International Women’s Day Carnival for faculty, staff and students at the First Sports Ground. (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
Li Hu declared the opening of Hainan University’s 2026 Lantern Festival and International Women’s Day Carnival.
Li Hu declares the opening of the carnival. (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
Prior to the opening ceremony, a group of faculty, staff and students presented a lively series of performances, including traditional lion dances, Sichuan Opera face-changing, and close-up magic, which showcased various forms of intangible cultural heritage and locally distinctive arts, and drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
A performance at the opening ceremony (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A performance at the opening ceremony (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A performance at the opening ceremony (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A performance at the opening ceremony (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A performance at the opening ceremony (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
The carnival site was festooned with lanterns and decorations, featuring five themed zones: Interactive Games, Folk Culture, Cultural Creativity, Photo Opportunities and Staff Showcase.
The Interactive Games zone offered over 20 folk games, such as Lucky Duck Ring Toss, Koi Fishing, and Spring Hoop Rolling, which drew enthusiastic participation from faculty, staff and students. The Folk Culture zone provided hands-on experiences with intangible cultural heritage, including lantern making and mask painting. In the Cultural Creativity zone, participants could craft limited-edition festival souvenirs, while the Photo Opportunities zone featured multiple themed backdrops for commemorative photos. The Staff Showcase highlighted artistic and handcrafted works by faculty and staff.
A highlight of the Carnival (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A highlight of the Carnival (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A highlight of the Carnival (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A highlight of the Carnival (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
A highlight of the Carnival (Photo by HNU Publicity Department)
The carnival also offered a variety of Nanyang-style (Southeast Asian-inspired) snacks and traditional Tangyuan (sweet rice balls), allowing participants to experience the vibrant fusion of traditional folk customs and local culture.
Translated by Li Xiang
Proofread by Xie Gengquan
