Chinese Club hosts second annual Chinese New Year Gala

Yurielle Menard/ Staff Writer

The Chinese Club and Asian Studies Department at MMC brought in the Chinese New Year with their second annual Chinese New Year Gala. The event occurred in GL 100 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday, February 12.

Professor Li Ma, advisor for the Chinese Club, said the event had more support and preparation behind than last year. Many schools partnered up with the club.

“We were more prepared and had more support from the Department of Modern Languages. Also, we had more support from the community. In the program there are performances from many children in schools that offer a Mandarin program. We are trying to create a more collaborative atmosphere in the community,” explained Ma.

The Chinese New Year Gala featured performances from many elementary schools, community centers, and even professional Chinese dancers. In order to promote cultural awareness, the program was conducted bilingually, in Mandarin and English.

During the event, guests were offered money to learn a few common phrases said during the New Year in Mandarin like “have a prosperous New Year.” Some guests were even given flowers by children performing in the programs while the crowd sung Chinese folk tunes taught by a local Chinese choir director.

While entering the event, guests were offered many different Chinese snacks.

“We’re trying to break the mold that take-out is legitimate Chinese food. It’s not even close. Panda Express is not Chinese food. Fortune cookies are made in America by Japanese men so we’re trying to stop that”, Chinese Club Treasurer Phil Guerreiro said.

Guerreiro and Ma said that one does want authentic Chinese food most restaurants have a seperate menu.

“Most Chinese restaurants have legitimate Chinese food you just have to ask. Make a friend who is from China take you to a small local restaurant and ask for the Chinese menu,” said Ma.

Though, the Chinese Club may hold annual galas from here on out it is can only bring so much awareness to Chinese language and culture to the general public.

“I think the gala is just a very small part of what we do here. We want to bring awareness through cultural events like this but we also have wonderful movie festivals” Ma said.

The Chinese Club doesn’t just try to promote awareness on Chinese culture but other nations as well.

“This year we are collaborating with the Korean Club and the Japan Club but even if we don’t collaborate with other clubs we still show films from other nations”,Guerreiro  said.

The Chinese Club hopes “to promote Chinese culture in a fun and interactive way”,Guerreiro said.

Senior Information Technology major Rorey Cowan was passing by the library when he decided to visit the event.

Cowan said,“I wasn’t aware there was such a strong Chinese influence. It’s always good to see people celebrating their culture, and also inviting others to be a part of their festivities. I’m happy that I stopped by. The turnout was amazing. I even learned a few Mandarin phrases.”

[Photo by Shenggao Wang]

 

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