Celebrate the Chinese new year at PSU

The Chinese Student and Scholars Association (CSSA) is set to celebrate the beginning of the Chinese new year tomorrow evening with traditional performances by students.

Chinese New Year festivities commemorate the passing of the old year while greeting the new one, according to Du Juan, CSSA’s spokesperson.

CSSA’s goal is to bring the tradition of New Years to the students of Portland State. Last year, the group hosted both a dinner and a show. According to Juan, 600 tickets were sold altogether.

This year, the event is free. Though there will not be any food, beverages will be provided.

In the past, the CSSA hired outside performers to entertain guests. This year, after partnering with the Confucius Institute of PSU and the US Wushu Center, the performances will be done by these groups, though mostly by the members of the CSSA. There will be traditional performances such as a Lion Dance, Wu-Shu presentation, C-Pop (Chinese pop music), dance and a Chinese fashion show.

“We’ve been rehearsing for weeks,” Juan said.

Juan, who has been at PSU for a year and a half, is a graduate student studying communications. She will be acting as the master of ceremonies, along with two American students: David Binder and Michael Gray. 

Last year a representative from the Chinese consulate in San Francisco attended the event, and the CSSA has heard he plans to attend this year. More than that, though, the CSSA hopes to bring  tradition and sense of unity to students on campus, Juan said.

“I hope that a lot of students will enjoy and share in our tradition,” Juan said.

The CSSA is a volunteer-run organization that helps Chinese students adjust to life at PSU.

Unlike the common zodiac, the Chinese zodiac is based on years rather than months. There are 12 zodiac signs altogether. All of the signs are animals, including the horse, the dragon, the pig and the rat. Those born during the years associated with these animals are said to have certain characteristics. Those born in the year of the rabbit, for instance, are said to be wise, cautious and somewhat timid.

Traditionally, the festivities are held for two weeks, ending on Chinese New Year’s Eve, where Chinese families get together for a big dinner and other events.

 “For New Years…the family members gather,” Juan said. “Grandmas and grandpas, cousins, aunts and uncles. We all have dinner, watch shows and play games. It’s a real family event. New Years in China is like Christmas here.”

The event will take place tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom.

For those unable to attend this year’s event, Portland’s Las Su Chinese Gardens will have a traditional Chinese New Year celebration that will last for two weeks.  It will also be having a customary lantern viewing on Feb. 17.  ?