By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Under the glow of decorations and the savory scent of fresh dumplings, Fort Hays State University is ringing in the Lunar New Year.
The FHSU International Student Union is hosting the event at 5 p.m. on Friday in the Black and Gold Room at the Memorial Union.
Jadyn Snyder, FHSU's coordinator of global engagement and special projects, organized the event with Yifan Liu, the graduate assistant for student engagement.
"We have a big Asian population because of some of our partnerships here at Fort Hays," Snyder said. "There's a big interest in this event. It provides a place for them to share their culture."
The event will feature a presentation on the Lunar New Year, snake-themed crafts and a raffle. Attendees can enjoy dumplings, rice and other Asian cuisines as the main dish.
Liu will lead an activity where participants learn to write Chinese characters on red paper, a traditional Lunar New Year custom.
Originally from Henan Province, China, Liu arrived at FHSU in the summer 2023 and is passionate about sharing Chinese culture with others.
"Not only does this holiday drive away bad luck, but it also praises good luck and the upcoming year's harvest. It's an occasion for family and friend reunions," Liu said.
Liu said the Lunar New Year dates back thousands of years and is linked to the legend of Nian, a monster known for devouring livestock, crops and even people.
"This monster will come on the day of the Lunar New Year to scare and attack people," she said.
Liu said to stop Nian from wreaking havoc, people discovered its fear of the color red, loud noises and fireworks, which inspired many Lunar New Year traditions.
The FHSU celebration will also showcase lion and tiger dancing, a tradition meant to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune for the year ahead.
"In China, we use this dance to scare the Nian monster. We also use it to celebrate our Chinese customs and to praise good luck in the new year," Liu said.
The holiday is not only China’s most significant celebration but is also embraced worldwide in countries like Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam.
The date of the Lunar Year is based on the traditional Chinese calendar and typically falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. This year, the Lunar New Year fell on Jan. 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
Liu hopes the celebration attendees will better appreciate family time and reflect on their journeys over the past year.
"I want people to realize how important it is to cherish and utilize the time we can to relax and reunite with our family," she said. "It's a special holiday to reflect on the challenges and achievements of the last year and look forward to the upcoming year."