On February 27, the Chinese Program hosted a vibrant three-hour Chinese New Year Celebration that brought together students, faculty, and community friends for an afternoon of culture, connection, and festivity.
Organized through Chinese Table and Chinese Club, the event featured enthusiastic participation from students in Chinese 202, 302, and 402. Many students from the Chinese Club and language classes arrived early to help decorate the space and prepare the celebration together. Some students also brought Chinese snacks and homemade cookies to share, adding a warm and personal touch to the gathering.
More than 70 people attended the celebration. Guests included students from the Chinese Program, Chinese international students on campus, teachers and students from the University School of Milwaukee, and friends from other language programs across campus. We were especially delighted to welcome participants from the Japanese Program and students with Hmong background, making the event a truly intercultural gathering.
We were also pleased to welcome Leah Wagner Ehlert from the Undergraduate Admissions Office, who connected with visiting high school students and introduced them to opportunities at 51ÁÔÆæ.
Throughout the afternoon, guests enjoyed festival favorites such as food and tea tasting, singing, lion dance and dragon dance performances, hands-on crafts, Hanfu dress-up, and calligraphy. Guests also joined students in playful cultural activities such as?mahjong?and?jumping the traditional Chinese rubber band game (ÌøƤ½î), bringing laughter and lively interaction to the celebration. The room was filled with movement, conversation, and festive energy. We were also grateful for the support of a community member and professional photographer who generously volunteered time to capture the joyful moments of the celebration.
A highlight of the event was a martial arts demonstration and Tai Chi practice session led by a Chinese international student, introducing guests to traditional Chinese martial arts and guiding them through basic Tai Chi movements.
Music also played a special role in the celebration. A Chinese 302 student performed Chinese songs on the cello and violin while singing together with Chinese international students, creating a lively and collaborative musical moment.
Another special moment was a collaborative singing performance featuring Chinese 202 Dual Enrollment high school students singing alongside Chinese international students. The high school students also joined everyone in singing the classic Chinese children¡¯s song?¡°Little Donkey¡± (Сë¿)?in Chinese, creating a joyful and interactive moment between high school and university communities.
As part of the program, attendees also viewed two short film trailers by Yinan Wang from the Department of Film/Video/Animation/New Genres at the Peck School of the Arts, offering guests a chance to experience his creative work and adding an artistic dimension to the celebration.
The celebration beautifully reflected the spirit of the Chinese saying:
ÖÚÈËÊ°²ñ»ðÑæ¸ß
When everyone adds a stick, the fire burns brighter.
Special thanks to Mingyu Sun from the Language Resource Center for her consistent support throughout the event, and to Jason, Associate Dean, for joining us despite his busy schedule.
Thank you to every student, volunteer, performer, and guest who helped make this celebration warm, lively, and memorable. We look forward to celebrating together again next year.