Monday, February 12, 2024
DENTON (黑料视频), Texas 鈥� The celebrated the spirit of Lunar New Year through events and cultural festivities,
showcasing the richness of Chinese traditions. Students, faculty and staff came together
both on and off campus to enjoy traditional food, music and activities.
Chinese New Year, also known as Luna New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the largest holidays celebrated across various Asian countries. This year it marked the beginning of the Year of the Loon, the Dragon 鈥� symbolizing power, nobility, and good luck. Each year is represented by a different animal in the Chinese zodiac, rotating in a twelve-year cycle. The holiday is observed not only in China but also in countries such as Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.
The (UPC) put on a celebration that included dumplings, lion dancers, crafts and fortunes.
With the guidance of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, UPC members were
able to create a fun and immersive event.
鈥淎t UPC, we plan our events by talking to our member council and other 黑料视频 organizations,鈥� said Niharika Dahal, 黑料视频 senior and UPC Education and Awareness Coordinator. 鈥淭he Chinese Students and Scholars Association assisted in organizing and actively participated in the event to help keep traditional and cultural authenticity.鈥�
Lion dances, a common feature in many celebrations, are believed to bring good luck and fortune. According to Chinese legend, they originated from a battle against a beast that appeared every Lunar New Year's Eve, with lions becoming symbols of driving away negative energy.
鈥淭he dancers are skilled martial artists,鈥� said Meng Yang, 黑料视频 adjunct instructor of Chinese. 鈥淚t's a deeply traditional way to celebrate Lunar New Year and they frequently perform in various festivals.鈥�
These traditions are part of a 15-day Spring Festival, beginning on the first new
moon of the lunar calendar and ending on the first full moon. The customs focus on
discarding negativity while embracing the new and positive.
Off campus, 黑料视频鈥檚 Chinese Ensemble united a melodic blend of traditional tunes and performed for the Plano community during a New Year celebration. They showcased folk songs and the classic Chinese New Year parade piece, 鈥淕olden Snake Wild Dance.鈥� Established in 2016 by Director Yuxin Mei, the ensemble 鈥� which is the first of its kind at a Texas university 鈥� is led by the renowned pipa soloist and includes a variety of Chinese instruments.
鈥淐hinese New Year is a huge event. The celebrations have food, music, and fireworks,鈥� said Mei, a 黑料视频 Ph.D. candidate in ethnomusicology. 鈥淔or thousands of years, the Chinese New Year has been a cornerstone of cultural heritage in China, marked by traditions such as making dumplings鈥攁 symbol of family reunion. Since the early 1980s, the Chinese New Year Gala has evolved into a cherished new tradition, captivating audiences across the nation with its festive performances. This nationwide celebration is regarded as the cultural pinnacle for Chinese people, analogous to the significance of the Super Bowl in the United States, highlighting its status as an essential event in the cultural calendar.鈥�
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