Xīn nián kuài lè!

On January 24^th 2020, members of the University of Calgary's Chinese Conversation Club (CCC) were invited to a Chinese New Year celebration. In partnership with the Chinese program in the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures, the event was offered from 4:30-6:30 and gave language students the opportunity to chat, get to know students from other classes, and experience a piece of Chinese culture.

The event began with the introduction of members of the CCC executive. Next, the President of the club, Linda Peng taught attendees Chinese New Year phrases, which we practiced with our neighbors. After that the five activity stations and available prizes were introduced and explained by an executive assigned to each station. First up was the calligraphy table, where we learned how to properly use a calligraphy brush and write 福, loosely translated into good luck for the new year. Next, we were taught how to play a traditional Chinese dice game at station two. At station three we were challenged to read a Chinese tongue twister. At the paper cutting station we learned how to cut traditional Chinese paper into Chinese characters. The last station, the conversation portion, allowed us to practice our conversation skills with Linda and try to get a continuous string of sentences. After completing each of the stations, we were given tickets we could enter into a raffle. Prizes for the raffle included a Starbucks mug, a $5 Tim Hortons gift card, a $10 Tim Hortons gift card, and a Chinese snack pack. Prizes were drawn at the end of the event, which was a nice way to wrap up the event. The CCC also provided dumplings and bubble tea for attendees to enjoy as we moved through the various stations.

Thank you to the Chinese Conversation Club supervisor Professor Wang and Professor Chung who also came and supported this event. The club grew and gained lots of new members through this event and the celebration provided time to catch up with old friends and make new ones too.

Happy Year of the Rat!