By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Westborough – There was a giant, dancing lion, children’s performances, buffet dinner, raffle prizes and more at the Central Massachusetts Chinese Language School’s annual Chinese New Year Celebration Feb. 7 at the Elsie A. Hastings Elementary School.
The festivities began with a traditional lion dance by the adult class of students. Parading around the school cafeteria to the delights of the other students and their parents and guests, each of the two lions was commandeered by two adults, one controlling the head and the other controlling the body.
All of the students received a red envelope with a $1 bill to wish them luck, health and prosperity for the year ahead. The students performed with their age groups with riddles, stories, hip hop dance, calligraphy, idioms about the year of the Monkey and more. Each of the spoken presentations was done in Chinese with the students ranging in age from preschool to adults.
Vice Principal Jiann-Jyh Lai began his introduction to the program by wishing a packed auditorium a very healthy and prosperous New Year. He also thanked many who helped organize this annual program as well as family and guests who were there.
“I especially want to thank the cultural center for their support of our school,” said Lai.
Some of the guests and students arrived in beautiful silk kimonos in vibrant red and blue and adorned with exquisite embroidery.
“For me, this is such an important event,” said attendee Yanxia Guo. “All of our family is in China and we have made so many extended friends through this school. This annual event becomes a family reunion in a sense. The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. I feel so lucky that we are able to
keep this tradition here.”
At the conclusion of the group presentations, everyone was treated to a traditional Chinese buffet style dinner from Yummy Kitchen in Marlborough. There was a raffle drawing with prizes including candy towers, stuffed animals, games, an ice cream maker and more.
“This is such a great event for everyone but especially the children. This annual event exposes them to important traditions of the Chinese culture. They get to form strong friendships. This Chinese New Year Celebration is also known as Spring Festival. I think everyone has such a great time,” said Wen Han, treasurer of the language school.
Edward Kuo, director of the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Boston, was happy to be joining the celebration.
“On behalf of the Republic of China and Taiwan, I want to send this greeting to this school,” he said. “The teachers and students are so enthusiastic about teaching Chinese and they are most successful. The families from Taiwan and also the local families come to learn Chinese, especially as a second language. It is very popular and I hope the interest continues to grow.”