By
Virginia Lee
Because of an ongoing email relationship with a young Chinese girl we met in Shanghai, my husband and I have become very interested in learning more about the Chinese people and their culture. We have become active in the Children's Hope International organization and have become friends with many Chinese-American families. 
Our friend, Keshun Liu, sent us an email inviting us to celebrate Chinese New Year at
University of Missouri, St. Louis (UMSL) on the evening of February 16th. We had no idea what this would be like, but we decided to brave it and attend. The event was to start at 7:00 p.m., but we thought an early start would be a good idea. 
We arrived at UMSL about 6:15 p.m. and parked our car on an almost empty parking lot across from the J. C. Penney building. Thinking it was too early, we sat in our car and watched as families hurried across the street. By 6:30 p.m. the parking lot was nearly full, so we decided it was time. 
With camera in hand, we entered the building and found Keshun at the auditorium door greeting people. We settled down in the second row at the right side of the stage. The program started a little after 7:00 p.m. The auditorium was overflowing. We could see this was definitely a family celebration. There were many small children in the audience, but there was no noise or crying. In front of the stage, little ones continued to scurry back and forth having the time of their lives.  
Most of the dialogue was in Chinese, but that didn't seem to matter to us. There was a choral group, dancers, tumblers, women and men soloists, an entertaining short skit done in Chinese and (of course) dragon dancers. Not all of the entertainment went off as planned, but no one seemed to mind. Everyone was there to have fun and nothing could mar that. 
When the entertainment was over, there was music and dancing in the lobby, Chess games in another room and activities for the children in another part of the building. There was something for every member of the family to enjoy. 
This definitely was not the kind of New Year's celebration we know. There was no rowdiness nor alcoholic beverages. It made me feel like we could learn a lesson from these wonderful people. The more I know about Chinese culture, the more I admire their way of life.
This was a very entertaining evening that will be remembered for a long time! 
|
