Fangxue is a member of The Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association and in 2020 they had planned a range of activities to celebrate the New Year.
The group had choreographed a dance and were scheduled to perform at several organisations in Scotland, including the Alba Cathy Chinese School, Glasgow City Chambers and the University of Dundee.
In addition to this, Fangxue was due to host the Association’s Chinese New Year Gala Dinner at the Hilton Hotel for Chinese families in Edinburgh and their friends.
However, due to the developing Covid-19 situation all performances and events were cancelled.
And this year?
Fangxue was invited to give a speech at an online Lunar New Year event organised by the Consulate-General of The People's Republic of China In Edinburgh where she shared the incredible efforts of the Edinburgh Chinese student community’s inspiring response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A former medical worker, Fangxue set up a volunteer team to raise money to buy PPE for healthcare workers in China and donated masks to a local care home and those in need in Scotland.
You can watch her speech below.
Q&A with Eric Zhou, Vice-Chair of the China Alumni Chapter
How do you celebrate Lunar New Year in Shanghai?
This year, because of the pandemic, we stayed in Shanghai and did not go back to our home province. Quite a lot of people did the same, so this year Shanghai is very crowded and not as previous years. Very special experience.
Do you and your family have any of your own traditions for Lunar New Year?
Dumplings are the must for me and families originally from the northern part of China.
Any tips you’d like to share so other alumni can celebrate Lunar New Year where they are?
Try some homemade dumplings and do not use the frozen ones from supermarket. Make dumplings together with your family members – it's a really fun coworking activity!
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