Chinese Lunar New Year comes to PSU

Fireworks burst in the air, towns and cities are covered in bright red and golden dragons parade the streets.

In China, this kind of celebration can be seen at the start of every New Year. The Chinese Lunar New Year is the biggest festival in China, and this year, the students and staff of the PSU community will be able to partake in the celebration.

On Friday, Feb. 17, the Confucius Institute will be presenting their annual Chinese Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival: Jiaozi and Tangyuan Party. The free event will take place at 6 p.m. in the university’s School of Business Administration Building.

According to Yao Wu, Chinese instructor for the Confucius Institute and event speaker, anyone who likes to try new food and wants to learn about Chinese culture and traditions should attend.

The event will kick off with the Chinese Corner, in which participants are given the opportunity to speak in Chinese with the 10 teachers involved in preparing the event. The interactive presentation will begin afterward, and participants will get the chance to win prizes, learn how to wrap traditional Jiaozi dumplings and Tangyuan (food made with rice flour), mingle and, of course, eat.

“There will be a presentation that will cover everything from information about the Chinese New Year and how to decorate a house for it to the different foods served for the celebration,” Wu said. “Anyone who is also interested in making friends and sharing the good luck and happiness that comes with the New Year should come.”

The Chinese New Year began Monday, Jan. 23, and the celebration usually lasts up to 15 days. This year is the Year of the Dragon, which for the Chinese means two weeks of family reunions, resolutions, the renewing of traditions and lots of food.