For more information, contact John Bennett, (937) 775-3232. 
January 20, 2006 Wright State University to celebrate Chinese and Vietnamese New Year Jan. 25 This year is the Chinese Year 4703, also known as the Year of the Dog. Wright State University, through its Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center, will celebrate the Chinese and Vietnamese New Year on Wednesday, Jan. 25, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Apollo Room on campus.Along with traditional Chinese and Vietnamese foods, music, dance, fortune telling, games and prizes, WSU students will dress in traditional costumes and report to the Jade Emperor of Heaven, known as a “Kitchen God Report.” Vietnamese and Chinese believe there is a Kitchen God in every household. A week before the Lunar New Year arrives, the household prepares food and flowers to send the Kitchen God away. Symbolic gifts such as cars and money are made of joss paper, a coarse bamboo or rice paper, and then burned. This annual trip to heaven is for the Kitchen God to report to the Jade Emperor on the activities of the household. “Families prepare food such as sticky rice cake, molasses, honey and fruit, hoping the Kitchen God will say only sweet things,” says Mai Nguyen, director of the Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center. “On Lunar New Year’s Eve, the household will prepare another ceremony to welcome the Kitchen God back. His presence will bless the household with good food and good luck all year round.” In the Vietnamese tradition, a script is prepared that pretends to say what the Kitchen God will report to the Emperor of Heaven. Often the script includes a humorous take on educational, social or political issues. “We have always wanted to do this act and this year we were able to obtain the costumes for the students to perform it,” says Nguyen. “We hope everyone can join us in sharing and learning something about the Chinese and Vietnamese culture besides the irresistible foods.” Admission is free for those with a current Wright State ID and $5 for others. For more information, contact the Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center at (937) 775-2798. 
Communications & Marketing
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