Pacific University is ushering out the old year and bringing in the new with the Lunar Celebration. In celebration of the new year, all are invited to attend a celebration, dinner, and performance held Feb. 21 in the University Center from 5-7 p.m.
The Lunar New Year marks an important traditional for several cultures and countries where people celebrate the new year with a feasts, festivals, and gifts. The celebration is an effort between a variety of clubs and organizations on campus. Students will be able to partake in the festivities through a variety of booths put on by Japan Club, Qilin Club, Korean Club, Art Club, Vietnamese Student Association, and International Club. Students can craft chinese lanterns, learn of tea ceremonies, and hang a wish on the Wishing tree.
Students can also learn how to create a chinese painting with local artist Amy Tsai from Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden, and at 6:00 p.m., a traditional lion dance will be performed by Lee’s Portland Dance Association.
The celebration acts as a bridge between cultures, says Qilin Club advisor Lily Tsang. Students are able to become acquainted with Asian culture and become familiar with their traditions. Celebrations like these create a tight knit community.
Advisor of International Club Katelyn Eisenhooth hopes that the event will continue to grow with more student organizations. The event is about educating, sharing, and connecting. She hopes that the celebration will spark curiosity in those who haven’t heard about the Lunar New Year. “The idea of building community is my big goal and hope,” she says.
Dinner will be a mix of Vietnamese and Korean dishes. To include all students, dinner is available to all, not just those with a meal plan. Avocado shakes, Chinese pork shu mai, and mapo tofu are just some of the options offered at dinner.
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