UTSC rings in the Year of the Snake

Multiple student organizations collaborated with the International Student Centre for the Lunar New Year by setting up tables with fun games and quizzes for the guests to play.

A close up picture of Lion Dancers. Photo from UTSC Student Experience Instagram.

You may be thousands of miles away from home but rejoicing in diverse cultural events and celebrations is always on the cards at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). January 20, 2025 saw the Highland Hall event space light up with lion dancers, food and games traditional to the Lunar New Year and most significantly, sheer enthusiasm among the students. 

Kathleen Meagher, Intercultural program coordinator at UTSC shared how this yearly celebration has now become almost customary to the university and has only grown in spirit and scale for over 10 years now. 

Reflecting on the purpose of these celebrations, she emphasized on how such events are very meaningful and wholesome because they contribute to fostering a sense of belongingness and cultural connect among some students, while others get a chance to learn about and engage with new and fascinating festivities. 

“It ensures that an inclusive and positive campus environment is maintained which is our utmost priority,” said Meagher. 

Student organizations and clubs at the Lunar New Year celebrations. Photo By: (Anahadhbir Singh//The Underground)

Multiple student organizations collaborated with the International Student Centre for the event by setting up tables with fun games and quizzes for the guests to play while collecting stamps on a lunar new year themed passport to claim their way to the tempting food waiting for them.  

Rainbow Coin Toss, a challenging carnival game that requires players to toss a coin and land it exactly within the rings of a rainbow to win the prize, was a hit among the audience. Students huddled around a small table, exclaiming and cheering as they tried their hand at the game. 

Meagher shared that her team reached out to student organizations relevant to the theme, with an incentive to come and market their clubs while the organizers were able to add another entertaining aspect to the evening. 

The Lion Dance, a traditional part of the celebrations. Photo By: (Anahadhbir Singh//The Underground)

The Lion Dance, traditional to the Lunar New Year, performed with two dancers making up the limbs and hind legs of a lion, while dancing in tandem, is considered to bring prosperity and good luck alongside creating a joyous, festive environment. This much awaited highlight of the event most certainly did not disappoint. Surrounded by an elated crowd of spectators, who cheered them on, the dancers put up an electric performance praised by all. 

In conversation with students who attended the event, Lily Tan, a first-year student pursuing psychology at UTSC expressed how the Lunar New Year is an intricate part of her culture, but growing up in Sudbury, Canada, she never got the opportunity to closely understand and celebrate the occasion.

“Being here at this event today has helped me engage with my roots on a deeper level and this is something I’ve always looked forward to,”said Tan. 

Reiterating Meagher's words, Samyak Jain, a second-year international student from India shared how the event had been an entertaining learning opportunity for him where was able to walk away with newfound knowledge of East-Asian culture ranging from zodiac signs to traditional games and dance forms. 

“The Lunar New Year was a festival I had only ever admired from afar. This event will remain particularly memorable for me because it was beyond national boundaries and identities” said Jain. Jain adds that these moments are a testament to the fact that no matter how different we are in terms of culture, appearance or personalities, we are still one.  

The Lion Dance was followed by students reading about their zodiac signs on colourful display boards that explained the significance and characteristics of each zodiac sign. The event came to conclusion with closing remarks from the organizing team as echoing joyous conversations faded away into the distance.

Even If you missed out on this memorable event, you’re in luck because the International Student Centre always has similar ones lined up. Stay connected to your UofT pride and enjoy the community it offers while you’re here.