The Korea Center-King Sejong Institute and AU-NCKU Taiwan Center host Lunar New Year event

Auburn Family Celebrates Lunar New Year

The Korea Center-King Sejong Institute and AU-NCKU Taiwan Center of Chinese Language and Culture hosted a Lunar New Year celebration on February 7. More than 280 Auburn faculty, staff, students and community members were in attendance.

At the event, attendees got to participate in traditional games like Taho and had the opportunity to try on hanbok, an authentic Korean clothing item. Korean and Taiwanese cuisine was available for people to try, including Bulgogi (beef), Tteok-bokki (rice cakes), Japchae (traditional glass noodle side dish), Kimchi (fermented cabbage) and Mandu (Korean-style dumplings). A slideshow was also displayed, sharing information and cultural facts about Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon.

Lunar New Year is a celebration of the coming of spring and the start of the new year in many Asian cultures. Celebratory traditions include dinners, gifts and red envelopes that contain money. This is a joyful time to gather with family and look forward to a new year and new opportunities.

“Our Lunar New Year event is a great way to share and engage with students who might have never known what the Lunar New Year is, and provide an opportunity to learn about different cultures overseas,” said Sarah Ting, coordinator, Taiwan Center. “Not to mention, it gives people a chance to relax while sharing an authentic international meal with friends.”

The Centers

Both centers are hosting more events throughout the spring semester. The Korea Center’s culture class featuring traditional Korean tea and snacks is on Thursday, March 21, from 12-1 p.m. in Foy Hall, room 244. Registration is required to attend, aub.ie/wH4J8G. Also, the annual K-Pop Party, a singing and dancing contest, is on Saturday, April 6, from 2-6 p.m. at the Telfair B. Peet Theatre to honor and celebrate Korean pop music. The Taiwan Center is also offering a culture class on Thursday, March 14, from 12-12:50 p.m. in Foy Hall, room 209. The class will feature a traditional Chinese board game, Majiang. Register by Tuesday, March 12, aub.ie/TaiwanCulturalClasses.

The Korea Center and Taiwan Center are part of the Office of International Programs. OIP is committed to fostering cultural awareness and education among students, faculty, staff and the Auburn-Opelika community. The Korea Center and Taiwan Center are collaborative initiatives undertaken by Auburn University, international university partners and government partners. The Korea Center, in partnership with Keimyung University and the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, aims to facilitate cultural exchange and promote Korean language and culture education. Similarly, in partnership with the National Cheng Kung University and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, the Taiwan Center endeavors to enhance cross-cultural understanding between Taiwan and the United States and promote Chinese language and culture education.