Year of the Pig is here

Hundreds attend PNW Spring Festival to celebrate

The Year of the Pig is here, and the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Chinese Student Association recently threw a party to celebrate for hundreds of people.

The 2019 PNW Spring Festival was open to the public and included socializing, networking, entertainment and a traditional Chinese dinner with all the trimmings.

“We come here every year for this, even though I am not Chinese,” said PNW graduate Jeremy Hollack, of Hammond, as he waited for the performances to begin. “My parents are from Poland, but they taught us that since we live in a world of so many nationalities that it would do us good to learn about them when we have the opportunity. So here we are.”

The positive attitude of uncovering differences within cultures was duplicated throughout the audience of both young and old visitors.

The Jyles Stafford family knows quite a bit about more than one culture represented in a family setting.

Dad is from Germany, mom Lynda is from London, their eldest daughter, Cindy, was born in New York, and their adopted daughter, Chloe, was born in Chicago.

“When my wife and I met in college in the United States, we had no idea we would end up part of a United Nations team,” Jyles Stafford said, with a laugh.

“My daughter Cindy is attending Purdue here, and we were surprised and impressed that her school is putting on this type of holiday. We enjoy looking into the ways other people commemorate their holidays.”

Susie Dang, one of the teachers at Chicago’s Chinese School, brought her students to perform at the recent party.

“This (event) is the best way to show American people how we celebrate our traditions,” she said. “It’s a fun time for all of us.”

One of Dang’s students who performed was Khaya Njumbe, 10, of Lansing, Ill.

Khaya i s Af r i c a n - American and wanted to join the Chinese School to learn the language and customs, according to his mother, Belinda. “I’m very proud of him,” she added. “His type of attitude is very important. Multicultural events can be exciting, especially for younger students.”

Acts taking the stage included a Tang poetry reading, a Happy New Year song from children enrolled in Chicago’s Chinese School, various music selections, instrument solos, a unique performance on a super-long Chinese zither, a lively portrayal of the Prelude of Spring music, (complete with colorfully-costumed dancers and parasols), and a closing song and message from the Purdue Chinese students, “Tomorrow Will Be Better.”

“The student playing the zither really caught my attention,” said Patrice Jackson, of Hammond. “It’s such an unusual and soothing sound. And everyone else who performed also added to the relaxed atmosphere.”

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a salute to the start of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. Each year is named for one of the 12 animals on the Chinese zodiac. 2019 is the Year of the Pig.

The annual celebration is the most important holiday in China, with many festivities continuing for up to two weeks.

Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.