On February 27, over 100 UNNC staff and their families gathered at the Riverside Restaurant, LA Hotel, for a vibrant Lantern Festival celebration. Co-organized by the Confucius Institute and the HR Office, the event marked the Yuan Xiao Festival, which symbolizes happiness, harmony, and reunion as it welcomes the first full moon of the lunar year.

Prof. Umesh Sharma, Vice Provost for People and Culture, opened the festivities with a warm welcome speech to all participants. Attendees enjoyed traditional lantern riddles and a fun quiz exploring the customs and origins of the festival. The buffet lunch, featuring an array of delicious dishes, encouraged guests to connect and share the spirit of the occasion.

A cultural highlight of the event was the hands-on Tangyuan (汤圆) making session. This classic Lantern Festival dessert brought creativity to the table, as participants decorated the sweet glutinous rice balls with a cube of red dough and painted the “福” (fortune) character using edible pigment pens.

The Lantern Festival celebration offered a unique opportunity for cross-cultural engagement, fostering community, joy, and understanding. Both organizers and guests expressed their appreciation for the chance to celebrate this significant tradition together, marking the beginning of the lunar year with unity and warmth.

The event concluded with heartfelt wishes for peace and happiness in the year ahead, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating next year’s festivities.