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Ringing in the Lunar New Year at Âé¶čAV’s Okanagan College

The Lunar New Year officially began Feb. 10
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Celebrating the start of the Lunar New Year at Okanagan College in Âé¶čAV on Feb. 13. (Brittany Webster/Black Press Media)

Happy Lunar New Year!

The year of the dragon began Feb. 10 and Okanagan College students were treated Feb. 13 to a dragon dance on the Âé¶čAV campus.

A student at the college and one of the people involved in the dragon dance performance, Yang Sijie who goes by Saje, explained the significance of the dragon.

“It represents strength and riches in Chinese culture,” Saje said.

The college celebration included different stations to try cultural games and crafts. Asian foods were being served to students, as well.

Saje said the food is one of his favourite parts of the annual celebration but also enjoys watching the fireworks.

Saje recently moved to Âé¶čAV to study at Okanagan College. He explained how the Lunar New Year is observed back home.

On the eve of the holiday, families gather at home to keep evil out as the calendar turns over. The next day, people travel to the temples and visit the gods. “It’s the first day of a brand new year, so we want to pray and make a good wish for the next whole year.”

Dozens of students and staff gathered in the atrium of the Centre for Learning at 11 a.m. to watch the dragon dance.

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Brittany Webster

About the Author: Brittany Webster

I am a video journalist based in Âé¶čAV and capturing life in the Okanagan
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