Red paper lanterns lined the hallway and the smell of authentic Chinese food filled the basement of Shaw Hall, transforming it into a celebration for the Chinese New Year.
This year, the Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 8 and is a celebration similar to Christmas in America. The new year celebrations last for about 15 days and will finish with the Lantern Festival.
With each new year marks the year of different animal from the Chinese zodiac. This year is the Year of the Monkey.
Despite being miles away from home, Chinese students and community members were able to celebrate the beginning of the new year on Feb. 5 in East Lansing.
The celebration, known as the Temple Fair: Celebrating the Year of the Monkey, was collectively put on by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, MSU Culinary Services and the Office for International Students and Scholars.
“Many Chinese international students and local Chinese families come to enjoy the event,” Chinese Students and Scholars Association president Yongle Pang said. “We want to bring a similar atmosphere to the MSU community.”
For many Chinese students, the Temple Fair was a way to celebrate their culture while at their home away from home.
“This is so different because it is here in America,” business freshman Wenni Qui said. “I am here with my friends from MSU. It is very special.”
Being so far away from home, many Chinese students found their friends at MSU helped to make the holiday easier to celebrate, despite not being with their families.
“This celebration is very fun, but it is different than it is in China,” psychology sophomore Cindy Lu said. “The activities and games in this place make me miss my home, but having this festival with my friends here at MSU is awesome.”
The festivities at the Temple Fair included many traditional games and activities that participants could earn tickets for.
These tickets could then be used for prizes, such as Chinese candy and snacks.
Economics freshman Chang Wang found the Temple Fair activities were similar to those experienced at home.
“It is different for us international students because years before, we have stayed at home with our families to celebrate this event,” Wang said. “In this celebration, there are many traditional games that I have played at home with my family.”
In addition to making Chinese students feel more at home, the celebration was also a way for non-Chinese MSU students to become engulfed in Chinese culture.
Prenursing sophomore Emily MacLean said she thought it was cool idea to recreate a Chinese holiday in East Lansing for people to experience.
“It makes me want to know more about the Chinese culture while they’re learning more about American culture,” she said.
