Chinese New Year began yesterday, and even though firecrackers were popped and dumplings were eaten around campus in celebration, bigger festivities are to come with the weekend.
The Chinese New Year's Celebration and Gala will be held tomorrow at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium with a dinner in Baker University Center Ballroom following the performances.
About 15 to 20 dancers, singers, actors and musicians are slated to perform. Attendance is projected to reach at least 1,000 for the performance as well, said Yang Chen, a member of the Chinese Student Association.
All people should be together on New Year's
Chen said.
The performance will feature traditional dances and formalities, and the dinner afterward will leave attendees free to gorge on as much of the customary dishes their stomachs can handle.
The spring festival in China is like Christmas in America Chen said.
For Chinese students, the New Year is a time to come together, but being far away from home can be hard.
Instead of getting together with family you get together with friends senior business student Ru Yang Dong said. She added that last year she was able to Skype her family and at least see them.
I've gotten used to (being far away)
said Dong.
In China, there is a strong emphasis on family, and the Chinese adopt different omens to set the tone for the year ahead. Chunchuan Liu, president of the Taiwanese Student Association, said that things such as wearing new clothes and shoes on New Year's day is a significant gesture.
It means that after tonight it will be a new year
so we just change everything to new so maybe we can have some luck
Liu said.
There is a 12-year zodiac calendar that determines the animal for the year. This year is the year of the rabbit. While the lore of the rabbit varies from region to region, the hare is regarded as a symbol of longevity and fertility.
Other customs include elders giving children Ang Pows
or red envelopes containing money to buy holiday treats. It's meant to bring the children wealth and prosperity in their futures.
Liu said the event is highly anticipated each year, but this year he and his friends just went to China King Wednesday night.
All Chinese people go to eat dumplings
he said. Actually
I don't know why we eat dumplings
we just do it. Why not?
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