NEW BRITAIN — Central Connecticut State University hosted a Lunar New Year celebration, bringing together students, faculty and the broader community to honor the significant holiday for Asian and Asian American communities.
“The main goal of this event was to educate about and celebrate the Lunar New Year, a significant holiday for many Asian and Asian American communities,” Professor, Department of Psychological Science Dr. Nghi D. Thai told the Herald. “These goals were achieved through our educational and cultural program, including speakers, performers, presentations, academic poster displays and offering table displays,” said Thai, who is one of the organizers.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, is a significant holiday celebrated across various Asian cultures. Its history dates back over 3,000 years to ancient China, where it began as a time to honor deities and ancestors at the end of the harvest season. The festival starts the New Year based on the lunar calendar, typically between late January and mid-February.
During the CCSU event, attendees experienced various performances, academic presentations, and interactive displays to highlight the diversity within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
A highlight of the celebration was the diverse range of performances, which included traditional Erhu music and a K-pop dance showcase. The Traditional Erhu was performed by Fei Fei Yang, who is a virtuoso on Chinese string instruments, an actress and a mezzo soprano. She is a dual Global Music award winner. She has performed in settings such as the New Year countdown stage of Time Square, United Nations, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Barclays Center and CBS.
The student-led AAPI Association played a key role in curating the performances, securing the Erhu musicians and choreographing the dance routines.
The event also featured a Lunar New Year Proclamation. “The Lunar New Year Proclamation presented by the Asian Pacific American Coalition and Alderwoman Candyce Scott was a powerful recognition of the Lunar New Year holiday for our AAPI community at CCSU and beyond. The Proclamation signifies a deep appreciation for our AAPI cultures and a commitment to inclusivity of our traditions at the state and local levels,” said Dr. Thai, who is also Co-Director of the Asian American, Asian, and Pacific Islander Center and Coordinator of Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies.
Ensuring a collaborative and inclusive approach to the event was a top priority. Faculty, students, and external performers contributed to making the celebration come alive.
“The students from the AAPI Association helped us to recognize this which turned into a key learning moment. The students contributed extensively to the event, including the program, decorations, red envelopes, and interactive activities for attendees. We learned that we are stronger and better when we work together,” she added.
Traditional Lunar Year celebrations include family reunions, feasting, and various cultural performances. Homes are often decorated with red ornaments, symbolizing good luck and warding off evil spirits. The festivities conclude with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day, when communities gather to release lanterns into the sky, symbolizing the shedding of the old and the welcoming of the new.
Looking ahead, Thai hopes to expand future celebrations by incorporating more representation from South and Southeast Asian cultures, increasing student involvement in the planning process, and introducing more interactive and hands-on activities to enhance cultural learning.
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