Tuscaloosa Celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Association of Chinese Students and Scholars held a Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Jan. 25 at the Ferguson Center Ballroom.

The event was open to the public and was split into successive pieces of entertainment, ranging from tai chi to solo singing performances. Guests were given authentic Chinese catering from Mr. Chen’s restaurant and the opportunity to win prizes between performances. Association President Hongwen Wu hosted this year’s events with hopes of continuing the group’s tradition of honoring international students’ cultural roots.

“We try to utilize every resource we have here to present our happiness to people who come over and study abroad,” said Wu, a senior majoring in kinesiology. “We want to make them feel well and give them a happy new year.”

The student-run organization’s Lunar New Year Celebration is part of their many activities and events throughout the year: New Student Orientation, New Members Enrollment, Mid-Autumn Festival, Basketball Tournaments, Spring Festival Celebration and more.

“This is such a joyous time of year to share with your family and to enjoy yourself and what the holiday is,” said attendee Aaron Palmer. “I saw this as a huge opportunity to spend some time and bond with my mother.”

The festivities began with a fashion show styled with Mongolian styled clothing dating back centuries. A new event progressed approximately every 10 minutes, giving the audience a glimpse of Chinese martial arts and other elements of Chinese culture.

Wu described the Lunar New Year as the biggest task the organization puts together all year, pulling from beyond their pool of students for the necessary entertainment. ACSS advisor and engineering professor Dr. Fei Hu contributed a flute performance while children of families familiar with the organization performed on stage as well.

“It isn’t just advising [the students] and getting donations that we do,” said Hu. “We help them with difficulties, we guide them—getting into graduate programs and business organizations.”

The Association of Chinese Students and Scholar’s mission is to spread the cultural differences and to teach knowledge about the Chinese culture. They also strive to bring international students together and make another “home” in Tuscaloosa.