To honour the commencement of the Lunar New Year celebrations in 2025, the UBC Department of Asian Studies and the UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS) came together for yet another year of collaboration to celebrate the Year of the Snake! Hosted on January 29, the event featured an enriching program and engaging festivities all throughout the Nest’s atrium.
The Nest atrium filled with interactive booths, and a lively atmosphere
This year’s Lunar New Year celebration at UBC embraced the symbolism of the Year of the Snake – highlighting wisdom, transformation, and cultural appreciation. More than a festive gathering, the event showcased UBC’s dedication to honoring diverse Lunar New Year traditions through an engaging blend of heritage and artistry. Traditional art and customs intertwined with vibrant performances and interactive experiences, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere for the UBC community. From the fluid elegance of cultural dances to the captivating melodies of live music, every moment was thoughtfully designed to capture the season’s spirit and foster a shared sense of joy and connection.
Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh, Head of the Department of Asian Studies, delivering the opening remarks
The celebration began with an energetic lion dance that paraded across the entire atrium of the Nest, captivating students and faculty as they passed by. Following the lion dance, Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh, Head of the Department of Asian Studies, was welcomed to the stage to commemorate the Lunar New Year celebration. Dr. Orbaugh’s speech beautifully captured the essence of Lunar New Year, emphasizing its significance within UBC’s diverse community. She encouraged the audience to actively participate in the celebrations, immerse themselves in the rich traditions, and embrace the festive spirit.
Guzheng, Pipa, and Dizi Live Instrumental Music performed a beautiful piece called Raindrops in the River South.
The program that ensued was enchanting. Curated by the UBC AMS and the Department of Asian Studies, the Lunar New Year program left students and audience members in awe! From alluring traditional dances by the Jun Dance Academy, to entrancing live musical pieces on traditional Chinese instruments like the Guzheng, Pipa, and Dizi, all of the performers gave it their all to showcase their magic on the stage and bring out the essence of the Lunar New Year traditions.
Queenie performing a solo freestyle dance, Tian Xia (left); Jun Dance Academy performing a dance, 100 Beautiful Dances (right)
The stage burst into motion with amazing traditional and contemporary dance performances, enthralling the audience with a vivid display of cultural transformation. Draped in striking costumes, the performers effortlessly merged classical techniques with modern rhythms, reimagining heritage through movement. From the fluid elegance of the traditional dances to the electrifying energy of hip-hop, each performance highlighted the richness and vibrancy of Asian traditions. As the beats echoed through the air and the dancers moved in flawless synchronization, the crowd was swept into an immersive experience!
Students posing in front of the Lunar New Year photo/selfie booth
Amidst the program, the stage was surrounded by numerous wonderful booths so that students and audience members could immerse themselves in various Lunar New Year traditions. From delicious sugar painting booths to selfie booths and calligraphy booths, the students were presented with opportunities to engage in a variety of ways!
Liang Bo demonstrating how the art of sugar painting is done… what a delicious creation!
Students had the chance to witness the art of sugar painting (糖画) – a form of art that uses sugar as the medium to create intricate designs, sculptures, and decorations. These delicate, edible artworks are crafted from melted sugar and are typically shaped into auspicious symbols, such as zodiac animals, dragons, phoenixes, fish (symbolizing abundance), and other festive motifs. This year, Liang Bo demonstrated his talent by creating sugar dragons, fish, and snakes for students to enjoy!
The calligraphy booth was one of the most popular booths of the entire event!
At the calligraphy station, students engaged in the timeless art of brushwork, delicately forming the character 福(fú), one of the most frequently used characters during Lunar New Year that symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. With steady hands and thoughtful precision, they dipped their brushes into rich black ink, guiding each stroke with care to shape the intricate lines of the character. A quiet sense of focus and intention filled the space, creating a moment of cultural appreciation and artistic expression. Through this hands-on experience, students not only got to connect with a cherished tradition but also welcomed the promise of luck and happiness for the Lunar New Year and the months ahead.
What’s a Lunar New Year celebration without a game of Mahjong? Students participated in many fun rounds of the traditional game.
For UBC students of Chinese heritage, the Lunar New Year event served as a meaningful reminder of their cultural roots, especially for those unable to return to Asia for the holiday festivities. Many shared their thoughts and emotions with us, reflecting on the significance of celebrating their traditions on campus and what it meant to honour their heritage while being far from home:
“The UBC Lunar New Year event was incredibly diverse for its incorporation of not only traditional Chinese activities such as 中国结 or 糖画, but also activities from other countries such as Korea and Vietnam. Such a display showcases the incredible unifying power of culture that permeates borders and nationalities.”
Lively interactions happening at the different booths in the Nest!
For students who are learners of Asian language, culture, and heritage, this event allowed for them to engage in the traditions that are typically celebrated in Asia. The opportunities to engage in the art of calligraphy, watch the art of sugar painting, lion dancing, and more, broadened the students’ horizons to apply their learned knowledge from the classroom into real-life scenarios and contexts, essentially creating a deeper appreciation for the cultural richness of Lunar New Year celebrations. Furthermore, the festivities also serve as a space for learners to engage in dialogue with native speakers and fellow artisans, which creates an authentic atmosphere to practice their language learning while fostering meaningful connections within the UBC Asian community.
The wonderful, enchanting lion dance ended on the stage, spreading joy to everyone who watched!
“I think the Lunar New Year event at UBC allows us to participate in the wonderful traditions that are brought from Asia. I think it’s a tremendous showcase of the lively Asian community here at UBC, and I’m grateful we have the opportunity to be part of it!”
“I felt very happy to see that we were all invited to celebrate the new year along with the Chinese community on campus, and as a non-heritage student I felt very welcomed by seeing familiar faces in the booth, as well as the engaging activities that were there too. This event definitely gave me more motivation to improve my Chinese skills!”
Students working together to create beautiful Chinese knots
What is a successful Lunar New Year celebration without the involvement of our fellow students? The students, greater audience, Asian Studies volunteers, and faculty were all integral to putting on such an enchanting atmosphere of connection and collaboration. From the active calligraphy booth to the competitive mahjong playing booth, students had wonderful opportunities to enthusiastically immerse themselves in all aspects of Lunar New Year festivities. This gathering served as a testament to cooperation in a diverse setting that hosted cultural celebrations and enhanced various Asian traditions, fostering a sense of harmony among the UBC community.
Our wonderful professors and volunteers!
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to each student, professor, volunteer, and community member whose commitment and hard work brought this event to life. May the Year of the Snake’s bold energy and unwavering spirit inspire growth, resilience, and prosperity throughout the year ahead!
Happy Lunar New Year!
新年快乐！
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