 "Photo: Kevin Maguire II")
On Feb. 5, students, faculty and UNH community members celebrated the first Chinese Lunar New Year event in the Granite State Room with customary Chinese entertainment, music, and food.
Alex Lamothe, the UAC’s event coordinator, was pleased that the event ran smoothly having only been planned two months in advance.
“It’s great we can bring a piece of Asian culture to the UNH campus,” said Lamothe.
The celebration was hosted by the United Asian Coalition and featured a tranquil dulcimer performance from the Boston Chinese Dulcimer Ensemble, and an energetic Dragon Dance performed by Dang Van from the Soaring Could Lion Dance Association. Traditional Chinese dishes from Mei Wei of Durham and Wing’s Kitchen of Boston, MA were also available for attendees.
A dulcimer is a stringed instrument that is hammered by small mallets that sits similar to a piano yet has no keys. Scientists and historians are not sure of the origin of the instrument, but they have become a symbol for Chinese heritage for nearly 2000 years.
“It was a great performance by both groups, “said UAC’s secretary, Brook Yee. “I don’t know which was better.”
Twenty to 25 people under one dragon costume perform the traditional Dragon Dance. During the performance, Dang Van members circled around a bowl of lettuce and oranges that they eventually scooped up with their lion mouths and kicked at the crowd, all the while dancing to the tempo of Chinese drums and cymbals.
The ceremony is meant to protect the people watching and participating from evil spirits like the monster Nian: a mystical creature on which the Lunar New Year is based.
“When I heard UNH wanted a show, I was surprised,” said Phillip Pham, a member of Dang Van for two years.
Pham, who has been participating in dragon dance ensembles for seven years, viewed the event as “shocking” because he did not believe there was a significant Asian demographic at UNH to host the event.
The Lunar New Year attendees also viewed a presentation on the 15 days of the Chinese Lunar celebration before being quizzed on the information presented in the slideshow. The students who answered three questions correctly were able to get in line first at the buffet.
The success of the event came as a surprise to some.
“The advertisement was so short notice and we just got it approved by the SAFC,” said Lee. “I didn’t think this many people would come.”
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