Feb 3, 20234 min read

The First Lunar New Year Event on Campus!

Updated: Apr 8, 2023

Lunar New Year 2023 @ Grand Canyon University

The first Lunar New Year event at Grand Canyon University was a celebration of Asian culture for the New Year. The event aimed to bring awareness to the rich history and customs of Asian cultures, and create a sense of community for students from Asian backgrounds.

One of the highlights of the event was the food fair, which featured dishes from different Asian countries, including Pad Thai, Vietnamese coffee, and more.

In addition to the food, there were also traditional childhood games, such as bamboo jacks, hopscotch, and origami, which provided a fun and interactive way for students to learn about Asian culture. These games offered a glimpse into the playful side of Asian cultures and allowed students to experience a taste of childhood memories from different countries.

In addition to the performances and food fair, there were also educational workshops, where students could learn about the history and traditions of the lunar new year and its significance in different cultures. This helped to foster a greater understanding of Asian culture and provided a platform for cross-cultural exchange.

Overall, the first lunar new year event in the university was a huge success, bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and fostering a sense of community on campus. The event was a testament to the power of cultural events to promote inclusiveness and understanding, and it is a model for similar events in the future.

This event was hosted by the Multicultural Office in collaboration with the Canyon Activity Board. The Lunar New Year event marks the arrival of spring and welcomes the new year with hopes of prosperity, luck and togetherness.

Why Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year is a celebration that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is observed in many Asian cultures, including China, Vietnam, Korea, and others. The festival is steeped in history and tradition, and is one of the most important holidays in the region.

The history of the Lunar New Year can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China, where it was celebrated as a way to mark the end of winter and the start of a new agricultural year. The festival was a time for families to come together and share a meal, pay respect to ancestors, and make offerings to the gods for a successful year ahead.

Over time, the celebration has evolved and spread to other parts of Asia, where it has become a symbol of cultural identity and a time for families to reunite and celebrate their heritage. The Lunar New Year is also a time for reflection and renewal, as people take the opportunity to start fresh and make a new beginning.

Today, the Lunar New Year is a big part of Asian culture because it represents a celebration of family, tradition, and cultural heritage. The festival is a time for families to come together, share a meal, and enjoy each other's company, and it is also a time for people to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.

The Lunar New Year is an important part of Asian culture because it provides a sense of connection to the past and a sense of belonging to the present. It is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the region and a time for people to come together and celebrate their identity as Asian.

As a student leader in the Multicultural Office,

I have taken the initiative to bring Asian culture to the forefront by planning a Lunar New Year event. Despite the efforts of the office to host multicultural events, there is still a lack of Asian representation on campus, and the Lunar New Year provides a unique opportunity to celebrate and showcase the rich heritage of Asian cultures.

As a proud Vietnamese, I bring a personal touch to the event and ensure that it reflects the traditions and customs of my culture, while also promoting a better understanding of Asian culture among all students. The event provides a platform for students from different backgrounds to come together and learn about the history and significance of the Lunar New Year, as well as its cultural significance for the Asian community.

Event Planning Process:

Event proposal to the stakeholders - all team members, staffs, and managers in the office.

This proposal includes the general look and feel of the event, food and activities ideas, etc.

Food Selection

As the organizer of the Lunar New Year event, we have taken great care in planning the food options for the event. I understand the importance of food in cultural celebrations and have made an effort to provide dishes that are both familiar and accessible to all students, while also considering those with dietary restrictions such as allergies.

The choice of Pad Thai as the main dish was a wise one, as it is a popular Asian dish that is well-known and loved by many. By offering both vegan and no-peanut options, we have ensured that everyone can enjoy the food, regardless of their dietary restrictions.

The highlight of the food offerings, however, is the boba. Despite the added cost, we recognized its popularity as a unique and beloved drink in Asian culture and made an effort to bring it to the event. Our office's commitment is to provide an authentic and enjoyable experience for all students.

Infinity groups and Cultural Clubs

The success of the Lunar New Year event was made possible by the collaboration and support of various infinity groups and cultural clubs on campus. These groups brought their own unique contributions to the event, including traditional foods such as Banh Tet and Vietnamese coffee from VFAM (the Viet Family), origami from AAPIC (Asian American Pacific Islanders Coalition), and Fish-Crab-Prawn from ACEL (Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders).

By participating in the event, these groups were able to share their country's culture and New Year traditions with the wider campus community. They also hosted their own games and activities, providing students with hands-on experiences and opportunities to learn about different cultures.

This collaboration between different groups showcases the diversity of cultures on campus and promotes a better understanding and appreciation of different traditions and customs.

Their contributions enriched the event and created a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience for all students who attended.