Thursday evening, the Asian Cultural Engagement (ACE) organization hosted a Lunar New Year Celebration. The KC stack was decorated to illuminate the night, including a Taiko drummer performance, Asian-inspired food and calligraphy. There was also a photo booth featured, along with multiple presentations about the various ways that international students celebrate and interpret the Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. Based on moon phases, Lunar New Year presents a fresh start to the year and the renewal of prosperity, happiness and health.
Maggie Vongsa, a first-year from Elkhart, Indiana was excited to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
“I appreciate this because I, myself, am Laotian mixed Chinese, and never got to celebrate Lunar New Years back at home,” Vongsa said. “Being able to celebrate it here on campus with other people that appreciate the culture is really nice.”
ACE Vice President, Trang Tran, sophomore from Hanoi, Vietnam said it doesn’t take much to celebrate the new year.
“You don’t have to celebrate (using) our traditions, just taking time and wishing a happy new year to your family is enough,” Tran said.
Owen Poling, sophomore born in Laoling, China, raised in Lancaster, OH, shared similar sentiments.
“You can always experience our Lunar New Year. You are always welcome to experience our food and our culture,” Poling said.
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