Chinese Undergraduate Student Association Set to Host NC State’s First Chinese New Year Gala
The Chinese Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA) hosted NC State’s first Chinese New Year Gala. The gala took place on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., held in the Coastal Ballrooms in Talley Student Union.
Celebrated across Asia, this holiday is also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year.
“Chinese New Year, specifically, is a traditional holiday that is celebrated in China and other Chinese speaking countries,” said Bethany Thai, president of CUSA.“It marks the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar. It represents a time of renewal, coming together with friends and family, and hope for prosperity in the coming year.”
Attendees enjoyed a celebratory dinner, performances, games, raffle prizes and a themed photobooth. The gala also gave attendees the opportunity to partake in the red envelope tradition.
“One of the most well-known traditions during this holiday is giving red envelopes (hongbao) filled with money. The color red is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck,” said Thai. “This tradition is usually for children or unmarried people, and the amount of money isn’t as important as the gesture of goodwill. It’s a way of passing on blessings for the year ahead.”
Thai expressed her excitement for the gala, “It’s a night full of entertainment, interaction, and memorable experiences!”
To learn more about the gala, visit CUSA’s Instagram page, @ncsu_cusa.
