Peralta Community College District kicked off the Lunar New Year with a festive celebration that showcased the rich traditions of Asian cultures. The event, held on Friday, March 1, 2024, was a joyous gathering filled with greetings, informative presentations, and a spirit of community.
Chungwai Chum from College of Alameda kicked off the celebration by asking how many people around the world travel for the Lunar New Year holiday? The answer is that an estimated 1.8 Billion people – nearly a quarter of the world’s population – travel to visit friends and family for the holiday.
In a heartwarming welcome address, Phoumy Sayavong, a senior researcher from Berkeley City College, introduced Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, the district chancellor and the first Asian-American Chancellor of Peralta Community College District. Dr. Gilkerson expressed her gratitude to the attendees and spoke about the importance of celebrating the diversity of the Asian-American and Pacific-Islander community.
"This Lunar New Year marks the Year of the Wood Dragon," Dr. Gilkerson said in her speech, which can be seen on YouTube here. "In Chinese culture, the wood dragon symbolizes evolution, improvement, and abundance. Can we all say it together: Evolution, Improvement, and abundance. It seems so auspicious. As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, let us embrace the opportunity to strengthen our bonds and celebrate the vibrant tapestry of cultures that make Peralta Colleges so special."
Board of Trustees Vice President Louis Quindlen and Trustee Dr. Nicky Gonzalez-Yuen joined Chancellor Gilkerson and the other celebrants.
We are an institution of higher learning, so the event also had an educational quality. We got to learn about the Vietnamese tradition of enjoying Bánh chưng, a special rice cake, during Tết, and the Chinese custom of adorning homes with red decorations and gifting red envelopes during the Lunar New Year. The video also features a presentation about the Mien people's traditions, including the burning of spirit money and the giving of red eggs to mark the occasion.
Ava Lee Pang, from College of Alameda, shared her insights on the significance of the color red in Chinese culture, explaining its believed power to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity in the coming year.
Chungwai’s closing remarks express gratitude to all who participated in the celebratory event. The Peralta Colleges Lunar New Year celebration serves as a beautiful testament to the district's rich cultural diversity and its commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Speaking of gratitude, many thanks to the Lunar New Year Celebration organizing Committee of Chungwai Chum, Phoumy Sayavong, Huizhen Su, Julie Saechao, Vanson Nguyen, Nickey Chao, Marissa Nakano and Jackie Vo.
The video was recorded by Joe Sullivan, Bendi Yilmaz, and Angel Hunter with photography by Faiza Ali, Marcus Creel, and Mark Johnson.
Photos from the event are posted here: https://peraltacolleges.smugmug.com/District/Events-/2024-Events/Peralta-Districtwide-Lunar-New-Year-Gathering/n-DxNHp3
