Saint Mary’s College celebrates Chinese Culture at China Night Celebration

January 30, 2017 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — Saint Mary’s College will host China Night on February 11, 2017 from 3-5 p.m. in the Little Theatre of Moreau Center for the Arts. A reception will immediately follow in the lobby.

China Night is presented by the Saint Mary’s College Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership (CWIL), the Chinese Culture Club, and the Around the World Club. The night is organized to commemorate the Chinese New Year, which will be celebrated with special performances by Chinese international students, Chinese Culture Club Members, Chinese class students, and children and adults within the community.

Associate Director for International Education Alice Yang said the Chinese international students play the leading role in planning and performing at the annual China Night Show for the Chinese New Year celebration for the local and Saint Mary’s communities.

“The students serve as cultural ambassadors trying to build the cultural bridge and promote mutual understanding among Chinese and American people,” Yang said. “We also appreciate the long-term support and participation of some local Chinese groups, e.g., East Meets West Dance Star, Chinese Language School affiliated with the Michiana Chinese Christian Church, and Michiana Rhythm Dance Troupe. The children’s performances, including many Chinese adoptees, are always most popular.”

Lingxi Zhan ’17, secretary of the Chinese Culture Club, noted, “As the number of Chinese students increases at Saint Mary's, our campus becomes more diverse. China Night offers the opportunity for students to learn about each other’s cultures.”

The Chinese New Year, commonly called the Spring Festival, is the mark of a new year according to the lunar calendar. In China, the Spring Festival is celebrated by visits with family and friends, special meals, parades, and gift giving. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster.

This event is free and open to the public.

About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.