Dumplings on the menu at Dal’s International Centre for Lunar New Year

More than 25 students gathered at Dalhousie’s International Centre on Wednesday to learn how to make dumplings as part of Lunar New Year celebrations. 

From Tuesday to Friday, the international centre hosted events such as fortune draws, dumpling-making, trivia and snacks, and springroll making. 

Program co-ordinator Erika Sommerville said these celebrations have been part of the centre’s annual Lunar New Year events for at least three years. 

“Twenty-five per cent of the world celebrates the Lunar New Year. It’s celebrated not only by China, but by the Chinese diaspora around the world,” said Sommerville. 

“It’s really important to recognize this on campus so that students have a little taste of home.”

The Lunar New Year is a celebration of the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. The lunisolar calendar is based on the placement of the moon and the sun to determine the New Year. 

The new year begins when the new moon is near the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This occurs between the third week of January and the third week of February.

It is also known as the Spring Festival in China, where red is a primary colour and community is at the heart of the celebrations. 

“In an Asian household, you sit around the kitchen table with family and friends, and wrap the dumplings all together,” said Sommerville. “I wanted to recreate that feeling of community.”

With many Asian international students at Dalhousie, these events can make students feel more at home.

“Cultural festivities are always appreciated by students,” said Sommerville. “The fact that we are acknowledging, leaning in, and joining the celebrations is always fun.”

With a variety of protein options available, students worked side by side cutting vegetables and folding dumplings.

Umar Fazeer, a Dalhousie student, said this was his first time celebrating the Lunar New Year. “I’ve come to a lot of these events and love meeting new people,” he said. 

Wangari Mathenge, another Dalhousie student, said that while she has celebrated in the past, this was her first time making dumplings.

“I think it’s really good for the community to be able to experience a holiday that they themselves may not celebrate,” said Mathenge. “For me, a really important aspect of the holiday is being with your family and community during the celebrations.”  

Sommerville said this week’s events aim to recognize the cultural diversity on campus.

“It’s a way to bring the world to Dal campus,” she said.