Admidst firecrackers, CSA rings in 'Year of the Boar'

Elaborate lion dances and exploding firecrackers were among the festivities that ushered in the Year of the Boar on Saturday at the University Museum. The 14th annual observance of the Chinese New Year boasted a large attendance of students, faculty and community members. Co-sponsored by the University Museum and the Chinese Students' Association, the celebration gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture. First-year Law students Conly Chi, Richard Au and Christine Chun said the New Year is the biggest event on the Chinese calendar, as it emphasizes new beginnings. Au said the New Year was a time to honor the family and pay respect to elders. People strolled from one end of the museum to the other, visiting various booths, galleries and exhibits. "The celebration was very educational," College freshman Jamillah Hoy said. "I learned a great deal about the New Year and its importance to the Chinese culture. It was definitely worthwhile and I will come again next year." Joe and Rita Carroll, ages eight and five, traveled with their parents from New Jersey to take part in the festivities. Joe Carroll said he enjoyed all of the events. Rita Carroll said she especially liked the puppet show and the hands-on activities, proudly displaying a red sheet of paper with her name written on it in Chinese calligraphy. Performances, activities and lectures highlighted the theme of celebration of Chinese heritage. In addition to the traditional Chinese lion dancing and firecracker parade, Saturday's events included Kung Fu exhibitions, lectures on Chinese Gods, brush painting workshops and Chinese cooking demonstrations. College sophomore Ed Lee and Wharton sophomore Derek Yan managed a booth of Chinese arts and crafts at the celebration. Lee said the event brought diversity to the University community and to the community at large. The majority of booths were staffed by students. According to CSA President and Engineering junior Steve Lin, more than a billion people worldwide will be celebrating the Chinese New Year. "I hope this shows people that CSA is about giving Penn students a chance to enjoy and learn more about the Chinese culture," he said.

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