On Thursday, Asian Cultural Engagement (ACE) hosted a Lunar New Year celebration in the KC stack. Decorated with string lights, lanterns and Chinese zodiac placemats, ACE transformed the space into a cultural spectacle, immersing attendees into the traditions of Lunar New Year.
At the celebration was a Taiko drumming performance, Asian-inspired food and calligraphy. A photo booth was also featured, along with multiple presentations about the various ways that international students and faculty 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, or moon phases. According to Britannica, the Lunar New Year presents a fresh start to the year and the renewal of prosperity, happiness and health.
Observed for centuries in Asian cultures, Lunar New Year is marked by the changing of the zodiac animal to represent the year ahead. According to People magazine, the Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, represents “vigor, strength and good fortune.”
Bayasgalan Gantulga, Mongolia sophomore and ACE public relations manager, shared why it was important to host this event on campus.
“Back home in Mongolia, the celebration is really big and important to me,” Gantulga said. “I’m happy to celebrate it in Albion too because it feels like home to me.”
Enkhmaa Buyanbadrakh, Mongolia sophomore and ACE president, had similar sentiments.
“This is my first time organizing such a big event and I’m glad we could bring (the) Lunar New Year celebration to campus,” Buyanbadrakh said.
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