A Lunar New Year celebration lit up the UNC Ballroom on January 31, as people from different cultures and backgrounds gathered to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The event was hosted by Erin Sawicki and her team and sponsored by the Department of Diversity and Inclusion for their anti-racism initiatives.

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The event included performances by the university’s K-pop dance group and the Okanagan Chinese Culture Association (OCCA). The OCCA presented a classical dance performance by children and a fashion show by women dressed in traditional Qipao garments, which showcased Chinese culture in an excellent way. 

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In addition to the performances, guests were served a variety of Asian food. They also answered fun culture quizzes, and played games like pass the parcel, musical chairs, and a traditional Korean board game. These proved to be a fun and inclusive way for students to learn about Chinese and Korean culture.

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One of the highlights of the evening was an interview with Fei Liu, the Executive Director of OCCA. Liu shared the organization’s history and its mission to serve the local community. "OCCA is a registered charity with a 15-year history of serving the local community," she explained. "We were originally established by a group of Chinese-Canadians in the Central Okanagan area under the name Okanagan Chinese-Canadian Association, but as time went on, we evolved into a multicultural umbrella organization. Today, we work closely with Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and Black communities, and we are always welcoming more diverse ethnic groups to join us and work together to create a stronger, more inclusive community."

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Liu elaborated on the various services OCCA offers, including immigrant settlement services, an after-school child care program, and a Golden Age program for seniors. These services aim to address the needs of immigrants and refugees, foster connections across generations, and create a supportive community for everyone, regardless of their background. 

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Liu also shared the significance of the performances featured in the event. “Chinese classical dance has been passed down for thousands of years, and the performance you saw today was a reflection of that long history. Our children in the after-school program were taught this traditional dance, connecting them to their cultural roots,” she said. She also explained that the Qipao dresses showcased in the fashion show are a symbol of China’s cultural evolution, as they originated during the Qing dynasty but remain a beloved style to this day.

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The event was not only a celebration of Lunar New Year but also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of cultural exchange and unity. Erin Sawicki, who organized the event, explained the significance of Lunar New Year and why the celebration was so important to her. 

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“I grew up in a small town in northeast BC, where we didn’t have a large Asian community, but we still celebrated Lunar New Year. It was a chance to come together, enjoy food, and celebrate the people around us,” Erin said. “When I came to a campus like this, I realized how lucky I was to be surrounded by these cultures, but I also noticed how hard it can be to learn about them if you’re not part of the community. Dr. Ehlert and I wanted to create a safe space where people could interact with these cultures, learn from one another, and break down barriers.”

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Erin’s enthusiasm for promoting understanding between cultures was evident as she reflected on the planning process. 

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“We wanted to create an event where people could really appreciate the beauty of different cultures and come together in peace and unity,” she said. “It’s about breaking down stereotypes and promoting love and acceptance, rather than division and hate. We want everyone to feel like they belong.”

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The event was a success, as people from all age groups attended and enjoyed the celebration. For people away from home, it was an opportunity to celebrate a beloved part of their culture and make new traditions, and for others, it was a chance to learn about it. Events like this are important as they help students at UBC Okanagan find and build a community and a home away from home.