February 29, 2008

Students Celebrate the Year of the Rat

By Claire Gould

In celebration of the Year of the Rat, students from the East Asian Studies Student
Advisory Board (EASSAB) and the Connecticut College Asian/ Asian-American Student
Association (CCASA) ushered in the Lunar New Year with delicious Asian
food,traditional musical performance, energetic dances, a fashion show, educational skits,
presentations and a martial arts demonstration this past weekend.

"The event is entertaining every year," Nina Pham '10 said. "It not only celebrates the
Chinese New Year, but incorporates traditions from several different Asian cultures. This
brings a sense of unification and pride to students of Asian descent, and is entertaining
and informative for everyone."

Lunar New Year is part of the Chinese New Year or "Spring Festival," which is
celebrated on the first day of the first lunar month. It is a major festival celebrated in East
Asian and South East Asian countries including Vietnam, Japan, Thailand and Singapore.

The event was co-sponsored by the East Asian Studies Student Advisory Board
(EASSAB), the Connecticut College Asian-Asian American Student Association
(CCASA) and the Student Activities Council.