A student receives a red envelope at a 2023 Lunar New Year celebration held on campus. (Photo by Angela Ryan)
While many people here in the U.S. celebrated the start of a new year when the Gregorian calendar flipped from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, as many as 2 billion people from Asian cultures around the globe joyfully observe the Lunar New Year—sometimes also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival.
On Feb. 10, we will bid farewell to the Year of the Rabbit and usher in the Year of the Dragon, which according to the Chinese Zodiac represents nobility, confidence and strength. Lunar New Year celebrations last up to 16 days and can include such various customs as gathering with family, preparing traditional foods, artistic performances and the gifting of red envelopes to pass on good fortune and blessings to the younger generations.
For international students on campus looking for a little taste of home or for anyone who simply wants to celebrate a new beginning based on the lunar calendar, check out the following selection of Lunar New Year events being held on campus.
On Friday, Feb. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. the campus community is invited to Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center for a celebration hosted by registered student organization (RSO) Chinese Union. The gala features 15 student performances showcasing pop music, dancing and traditional Chinese folk song, and culinary delights offered in collaboration with a local top-tier Chinese restaurant.
“Gathering together to commemorate the festival is crucial for alleviating homesickness and fostering a sense of togetherness,” says Chinese Union President Ruohan Xu ’24.
Campus dining centers will host pop-up events all week celebrating the Lunar New Year with a selection of dumplings, egg rolls and authentic sauces served during lunchtime! The schedule is as follows:
Students in the Newhouse School of Public Communications will hold a tabling event inside Food.com on Thursday, Feb 8, from noon to 1 p.m. Anyone passing through the building is welcome to stop by to enjoy a treat of Asian snacks and candies provided in red envelopes!
On Friday, Feb. 9, a special cultural event will be held in Slocum Hall from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m., organized by international students in the School of Architecture and Dean Michael Speaks.
The Slocum Hall atrium will be transformed into a festival-like atmosphere where students can take a break from the pressures of studio life and engage in activities such as knot tying, zodiac study, paper cutting and a photo booth. Dumplings, spring rolls, fried rice, chocolate coins and traditional candies will be served.
Also of note, a series of short presentations about East Asian culture and architecture by architecture faculty will begin at 5:30 p.m. A recording of this video will be made available following the event.
Another RSO, the Syracuse chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, will host a Lunar New Year dinner that is open to all! The event will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the I3 Center of Newhouse 3.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, the RSO Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) will host its annual Chinese New Year gala, a tradition dating back to the group’s founding in 2000. From 6 to 10 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center, patrons can enjoy a variety of singing and dancing programs and games to invite happiness in the new year.
“We host this event to give Chinese students studying in the United States the warmth of home, but also to promote our Chinese culture to students from other countries,” says CSSA President Jiayi Xu ’27. “It is also a platform for students to show their talents and skills in after-school life.”
The campus community is invited to the Panasci Lounge and 304 ABC Schine Student Center from 9 p.m. to midnight for the Orange After Dark/Center for International Services Lunar New Year celebration. The evening includes such activities as a calligraphy workshop, origami workshop, Chinese coin decorating, Kahoot trivia, a Lunar New Year selfie station and more! Traditional Chinese food and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP on ’Cuse Activities if you plan to attend.
However you decide to celebrate—whether at the events mentioned above or elsewhere—send your photos to SU News! Email newsphoto@syr.edu and we’ll share a selection of Lunar New Year pictures in the weeks to come.
