New cheer

Hundreds convene in HUB to mark Chinese New Year with food, music, dance

Out with the ox and in with the tiger.

Those celebrating the Chinese New Year yesterday put behind the Year of the Ox -- which represents happiness and hard work -- and welcomed the Year of the Tiger, a strong and active year, said Cindy Huang, president of the Chinese Culture Club.

"The tiger is a symbol of strength," said Ruicheng Tong (graduate-mechanical engineering). "So we hope that China, economically, will be like a tiger in the new year."

An estimated more than 400 people gathered in the HUB Ballroom yesterday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, said Huang (graduate-horticulture).

"The Spring Festival means that all the Chinese get together like a big family," said Zhenyang Ge, a visiting scholar from China.

Although much of the University Chinese community celebrated the New Year yesterday, the Chinese New Year's Day is officially Jan. 28, Kun Song (graduate-nutrition) said.

Traditionally, the Chinese New Year is a time for people to hope for a more healthy, wealthy and lucky year ahead, Huang said. The celebration yesterday had an authentic Chinese New Year atmosphere, she added.

"Kids run around and family members talk to each other and ask what they hope for in the New Year," Huang said.

Ge said his New Year hope is to finish his research work at the University and return to his family in China.

"Today I miss my home very much," Ge said.

The ballroom's atmosphere was rich with Chinese culture and heritage, for the program was completely in the Chinese language and many festival participants wore elaborate, traditional Chinese costumes.

Tradition is an important aspect of the Chinese New Year and, like Christmas, children will often be given presents, State College resident Vicki Fong said.

Fong's daughter, six-year-old Harley Grieco said, "I like getting lucky money and candy."

In American cities with large Chinese communities, traditional activities include attending a New Year's parade with dragon dancers, tiger dancers and fireworks, Fong said.

Tong said he and other Chinese residents at the University have mixed feelings about celebrating the Chinese New Year in the U.S.

"We're happy to be together, but we also miss our friends and family at home," Tong said.

The celebration yesterday was sponsored by the Chinese Friendship Association, the Chinese Culture Club and other University Chinese organizations.