On February 9, New York Film Academy’s Chinese Club hosted a celebration of the Lunar New Year. Students from club worked long hours to make stuffing for dumplings, procure ink to teach Chinese characters and get decorations. The lobby of the Riverside building of the Los Angeles campus was transformed into a kitchen and a dance floor.
Two dumpling stations were set up at either side of the lobby. Classmates were encouraged to stuff their own dumplings, though frying was left to the experts. Students could also practice writing Chinese characters with traditional ink.
We sat down and spoke with President of the Chinese Club, Peijun Zou, to ask her why she wanted to hold this event and what the holiday meant to her.
Why did you feel it was important to host this event?
Zou: I wanted to help everyone understand and experience the meaning of making dumplings. Dumpling is not just a traditional food it is a spiritual celebration for Chinese New Year. The shape of dumpling looks like a silver or gold ingots which were the ancient currency in China. We make them with the hope of gaining health, wealth and good fortune in the New Year.
What was your favorite part of the event?
Zou: My favorite part was to see everyone collaborate with each other and experience the Chinese culture.
What do you hope students took away from this gathering?
Zou: I hope everyone walked away knowing that Chinese dumplings represent togetherness. Dumplings make us better and stronger because, in order to make them, a group of people must work together. In other words, making dumpling requires teamwork, just like the film industry. Everyone has to know how to work in a group.
The New York Film Academy would like to thank the Chinese Club for hosting this event and the students who attended and made the event special.