The numerous heritages among the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community was on full display at the AAPI: All New Year Festival at CU Boulder in early April.
More than 450 people attended the event, which featured important cultural aspects through art, 音乐, 跳舞, 语言和烹饪.
“It was such an amazing experience,埃米莉·兰丁厄姆说, a graduating student in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. “这次活动带来了学生, 家庭成员, staff and all different cultures of the AAPI community together. I hope this strengthens the AAPI community on campus.”
From taekwondo martial arts performances, South Asian fusion 跳舞 and 印度n classical dancing to live 音乐 in Nepalese, the festival was an evening of cultural celebration showcasing the wide diversity of the AAPI identity. +, anyone who came hungry was treated to cuisines like dumplings, 印度奶酪, 咖喱, 鸡蛋卷, 寿司和毛豆.
Cross campus culture collaboration
由博彩平台推荐主办 社会 of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), the student society was inspired by Chinese and Vietnamese New Year, which traditionally takes place in either January or February.
“We realized that a lot of our members, despite being under the umbrella of being Asian, 不同的背景,海伦说。, vice president of culture for SASE. “We wanted to create a festival that gave opportunities for organizations to share traditions of other AAPI identities in a space that everyone feels they belong and thrive in. ”
Planning started in the fall semester, when they secured sponsors through the Cultural 事件 Board, CU Student Government and the 保罗米. Rady Department of Mechanical 工程.
SASE also partnered with other 大胆的中心 organizations, such as oSTEM, Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics (WOAA) and the American Association of Engineers of 印度n Origin (AAEIO), as well as student groups from across campus.
“Seeing all the different organizations from across campus bringing the event to life really made me happy,兰丁厄姆说. “Especially when a lot of these organizations hadn’t really interacted before, it was great to see everyone learn from each other and bring their own members to this celebration.”
Beyond wanting to create a fun and inviting event, the festival was an opportunity for learning and inclusivity.
Do noted how collaborating with other student societies, 是否认同亚洲人, was important to AAPI student groups space to share their cultures and also for non-AAPI student groups to learn about another culture in preparation for the event.
“We were especially grateful to oSTEM and WOAA, who ran our calligraphy and henna stations,” said Do. “They took a lot of care and research about the art and cultures they were representing at the event.”
Learning through culture and community
Attendees were able to get a cultural glimpse of traditions from countries including China, 韩国, 印度, 缅甸, 菲律宾, 日本, 越南和尼泊尔.
Through the help of the festival collaborators, “student groups ran different booths representing countries,凯利·克林根说, SASE公共关系官. “It was incredible seeing people learning about our traditions through joy and positivity.”
“We wanted an event that was representative of those different cultures and that we would really do them justice, because even within an Asian organization, we definitely can overlook specific parts of each culture,克林根说. “We’re so happy this festival celebrated AAPI cultures throughout campus.”
If you’re excited to learn more about AAPI cultures, you’re in luck. SASE plans to hold this festival next spring with the hopes of bringing community through more culture and celebration.
Photo Credit: Marleigh Hill; Top Photo: CU Milana; Middle Photo: 铜Abhinaya
值得注意的
The Center for Student Involvement and Colorado Creed recognizes student organizations who exemplify leadership and engagement across campus and the Boulder community.
Congratulations to SASE for receiving the following 2024 校园参与奖!
Photo Credit: Center for Student Involvement; 社会 of Asian Scientists and Engineers at the 校园参与奖 Ceremony 2024