Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the KU Center for East Asian Studies

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) and partners will celebrate the Year of the Dragon for the Lunar New Year, a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar.

The free, public Lunar New Year Festival will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Burge Union.  
 
The Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China and is widely celebrated in other East Asian countries. The Year of the Dragon is known for welcoming changes, creativity and a vision for prosperity.

“It would be great for the CEAS community to welcome the new year together and to nurture our hopes and dreams by turning the positive energy of the dragon into a source of our actions toward a healthy and prosperous year ahead," said Akiko Takeyama, CEAS director.
 
Attendees will enjoy an evening of festivities and friendship to ring in the new year, including performances at 6:30 p.m. by Wanwan Cai from the Lawrence Art Center and at 7:15 p.m. by the KU Lion Dance club.

Games and family-friendly activities will include the red envelope giveaway and raffle, lantern-making, calligraphy lessons, bingo and ring toss. Participants can also sample a dumpling, scallion pancake fries and sushi while supplies last. The event also will feature a photo booth.
 
The red envelope giveaways and beverages are possible through donations from Pepsi, KU Bookstore, McLain's Market Lawrence, Royal Crest Lanes, The Merc Coop and Toppers Pizza.  
 
Event co-sponsors include Student Union Activities, the Chinese Student Association, Korean Student Association, Study Abroad & Global Engagement, Global Awareness Program, Asian and Asian-American Faculty & Staff Council and International Support Services.