Columbia is ringing in the Chinese New Year, which starts Feb. 17. Events around the city include performances, arts, crafts and games on and off USC's campus.
The Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, is a time for the busy, modern world to be put on pause to commemorate the new beginning of the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon rather than the 365-day calendar. The date of the new year changes every year, but it is generally celebrated in January or February by East and Southeast Asian cultures mainly in China, Korea and Vietnam.
Fourth-year international business student Fei Zhou is the advisor for the Chinese Students and Scholars Association on campus. The holiday brings family and friends together, Zhou said.
“It’s a time where people gather in hopes for a fresh start, good fortune and prosperity in the upcoming year,” she said.
CSSA is a student-led organization located at multiple universities and colleges, mainly in the United States and Canada.
Some traditions include a family dinner with extended relatives, receiving or gifting red packets that hold cash or putting up decorations in the home that correlate with what zodiac is being celebrated.
Each year, there are different Chinese animal zodiacs assigned to each Lunar New Year based on the 12-year cycle. This year is the Year of the Horse.
"(This year) is associated with meaningful messages like passion, dedication and ambition," Zhou said.
Second-year advertising student Jason Wu is the media director for the Chinese Students and Scholars Association and enjoys that the Chinese New Year offers him the opportunity to spend time with loved ones and friends.
Columbia held celebrations to recognize the holiday, including a Lunar New Year event at the Richland Library on Feb. 8. The event had a total of five performances by different associations and schools, including the Chinese Youth Association of Columbia, East Point Academy, the Filipino-American Association of Greater Columbia and the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu.
Event attendee Dinah Washington appreciated the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu's lion dance performance, which includes two dancers in a lion costume that move to the beat of drums and cymbals.
“They did an awesome job performing,” she said. “I love the beat of the drums.”
The only knowledge Washington had about Chinese New Year came from movies or parades, she said. After seeing the performance, she hopes the holiday's outreach spreads wider.
“I appreciate it,” Washington said. “Hopefully, they start going to the schools and performing for the kids. They would enjoy it.”
Other Columbia events included a screening at The Nickelodeon of "Ne Zha 2," an animated Chinese mythology film that became China's highest-grossing film ever last year, and a yoga session at Loveland Coffee.
The Chinese Students and Scholars Association is hosting a collaborative Spring Festival Gala with the Chinese Cultures Association and the Taiwanese Student Association to celebrate the new year.
“It is our second time doing a large-scale collaboration like this,” Zhou said. “We will be bringing in Chinese communities from the greater Columbia area.”
The gala includes a performance from the Chinese Association of Columbia, a showcase of traditional garments, interactive games, and free “first come, first serve” food catered from Blossom and Teapot.
“It’s one of those opportunities to get together with friends to celebrate,” Wu said. “It’s just a really fun time.”
The event is on Sunday, Feb. 22 in the Russell House Ballroom with free entrance to everyone. For more information, check out the organization's Instagram page.