KU Center for East Asian Studies rings in the Year of the Fire Horse with a vibrant New Year festival
Sarah Lasak | @sarlasak
Colorful performances, traditional foods and centuries-old customs filled the fifth floor of the KU Memorial Union on Tuesday during the Center for East Asian Studies’ (CEAS) Lunar New Year celebration. This year is the Year of the Fire Horse, which brings beauty, passion and opportunity for change in the new year.
Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays across Asia. While traditions vary across cultures, the core themes of honoring ancestors and looking ahead with hope for health and prosperity remain consistent.
“It’s a welcoming of spring, it’s welcoming good luck, prosperity, fortune, and kind of getting away from any of the negativity maybe of the previous year and starting anew,” said LaGretia Copp, CEAS event and communications coordinator. “You celebrate oftentimes as a family, but also in the larger community. So, that idea of building vibrant communities is a very important element of this as well.”
At the festival, the KU and Lawrence community had the opportunity to experience East Asian traditions through dumpling wrapping demonstrations and origami tutorials. Additionally, the festival highlighted the artistry of student performers from KU’s Taiko Club, K-pop dance team, lion dance team, and more.
Lion dancing is a centuries-old tradition that began in China and spread across East Asia. It is often performed during Lunar New Year festivities to usher in good fortune.
“I think lion dancing symbolizes different things for different people, however in general it’s kind of meant to scare away evil spirits in terms of starting a new year and starting fresh,” said KU Lion Dance member Van Nguyen. “It’s been carried on and passed down through generations, I think it’s great.”
Beyond the performances, food and festivities, the celebration serves a larger purpose: creating a welcoming space for students to embrace their identities and share their cultures with others on campus.
“Just having this community is really special to me because I get to embrace who I am as a person and just see it celebrated all around,” KU freshman Shayla Ho said.
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