Skip to content
University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus CU Denver | CU Anschutz
  • Webmail
  • UCD Access
  • Canvas
  • Quick Links
 
 

Tools & Resources

  • Campus Directory
  • A-Z Index
  • Human Resources
  • University Policies
  • Auraria Library
  • Strauss Health Sciences Library

Schools & Colleges

CU Denver

  • College of Architecture and Planning
  • College of Arts & Media
  • Business School
  • School of Education & Human Development
  • College of Engineering, Design and Computing
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • School of Public Affairs

CU Anschutz Medical Campus

  • School of Dental Medicine
  • Graduate School
  • School of Medicine
  • College of Nursing
  • Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Colorado School of Public Health

CU Campuses

  • CU Anschutz Medical Campus
  • CU Boulder
  • CU Colorado Springs
  • CU Denver
  • CU Online
  • CU System

Announcement: CU Denver is Celebrating 50 Years

Whether you’re an alumnus, current student, member of the faculty and staff, donor, or neighbor, you’re a valuable part of the CU Denver community. Help us celebrate the last 50 years and a future that works for all.

Learn More

International Newsroom

Office of International Affairs

Explore International

  • Home
  • Study Here
  • Work Here
  • Go Abroad
    • Travel Guidance & Policy
    • Travel Alerts, Notices, & Advisories
  • Resources
    • Help & Support Desk
    • International Newsroom
    • Publications & Media
    • Fulbright Program
    • International Alumni
  • Partners
    • International College Beijing
    • Memorandums of Understanding
  • About OIA
    • Contact & Address Information
    • Appointments
    • Staff
University Quick Links

    Donate to the International Student Emergency Fund

    CU Denver Day of Giving is April 6!

    CU Denver is committed to making education work for all; this includes international students who are abruptly faced with a financial crisis. Unexpected disasters at home – massive flooding, earthquakes, medical emergencies, losses in family incomes -- have affected more than one of the university’s international students.

    Donate Today
    .j-allow-row-background', .j-apply-a-background95caadde-5aa2-4fbd-b38c-03abf8c58732, j-t-bg-widget-CU_text-gold-bg-none, "background-image", "url('')

    View All News & Stories

    More Recent News & Stories

    Lantern Festival Lights Up Chinese New Year Celebration

    ICB Club Hosts Honored Heritage Event

    Feb 26, 2014
    students performing on stage

    As the moon rose over the Tivoli on the fifteen day of the first lunar month, the Turnalle came alive with celebration. It was time for the annual Lantern Festival, which marks the end of New Year celebrations and the first full moon of the year, according to the Lunar Calendar. In China, when this full moon climbs high in the sky, people go outdoors to observe and celebrate with family members. Under the silvery moonlight, they make wishes and pray that the bright moon will bring them peace, happiness and health. In honor of this grand festival, on February 18, 2014, the CU Denver Intercultural Club Beijing (ICB Club) hosted an impressive banquet for Chinese students who are away from home and for other friends and faculty members who enjoy learning about traditional Chinese culture.

    The story behind the event comes from a rich, ancient heritage. According to Chinese legends, the Heavenly Jade Emperor was angered and wanted to destroy a hunter’s town on earth because the Emperor’s favorite bird was killed by the hunter. A kind fairy heard of this vengeance and told the people to light lanterns throughout town on that day. The townspeople obeyed, and when the Emperor gazed down at the town, it appeared to be ablaze. He was satisfied and left. From that day on, people have celebrated the anniversary of their deliverance by carring lanterns through the streets during the first full moon night of the year.

    Historical records report that the Lantern Festival originated during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), with the flourishing of Buddhism in China. The ruling emperor showed his respect to Buddha by ordering people to light lanterns in palaces and temples on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. No matter how this Festival originated, the basic idea behind it is togetherness, unity, and prayer for a happy new year.

    Part of traditional festivities for the Lantern Festival include watching performances and eating Yuanxiao (sticky rice dumplings). At the beginning of the ICB banquet, the Lion Dance Show ws perfomed, with dancers dressed in beautiful costumes. The lion character’s every movement had a specific musical rhythm and was accompanied with clashing cymbals, a gong, and a drum. Throughout the performance, dancers mimicked various moods and demonstrated physical gestures – leaping like lions – for a life-like representation. The dancers’ brilliant performance caught the audience’s attention, especially as the various “lions” snuck up on unsuspecting guests.

    The festival hosts prepared a variety of delicious traditional Chinese dishes, including fried rice, sesame chicken, black pepper beef, and spicy tofu. Of course, yuanxiao, which is a sticky rice dumpling, was essential. Made of rice flour and filled with peanuts, sugar, and rose petals. yuanxiao’s round shape and sweet taste represent reunion, harmony and happiness for the community.  It is always a favorite dish.

    Dinner was followed by more engaging performances. The ICB students sang, danced, and visited with people of many cultures. Ziyao Yang, a third-year economic student, sang an English song, called “For No Reason.”, which expressed her wishes. Another student, Cheng Zhang, expressed his homesickness through a Chinese song.

    Two student organizations, the Spirit of Cambodia Cultural Alliance and the Hawaii Club, performed dances. The first graceful coconut dance portrayed aspects of traditional Cambodian culture. Another dance called “Hula”, which was enthusiastically performed and received, brought people’s imaginations to sunny Hawaii. Weiru Chen’s hip-hop solo was also, according to visitors, “fantastic”. The final mixed number by Ziyuan Liu recalled childhood memories and gave the whole banquet a perfect ending.

    This year’s Lantern Festival event created a beautiful and unforgettable night. ICB president Haiyue Liu expressed her appreciation and best wishes to those who attended and prepared for the banquet. After the celebration, Jeff Schweinfest, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences academic advisor, commented, “I think this event is becoming a ‘must-go-to’ event on the campus. I was really happy to see other groups participating. It’s truly an inclusive event that embraces the diversity of our community.” Many guests stated that they enjoyed the evening are looking forward to the next ICB club event.

    By Yiying Liu

    LEARN MORE

    To learn more about International College Beijing, visit online at: International.ucdenver.edu/Beijing.

    Categories: Office of International Affairs |

    View All News & Stories

    Media

    Discover CU Denver (Undergraduates)

    Discover CU Denver (Undergraduate)

    Colorado's Urban Public Research University

    View & Download

    International College Beijing

    See Description
    Published Jul 26, 2012
    ICB is a joint education program between the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) in Denver, Colorado, USA, and China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing, People's Republic of China. This partnership, formed in 1994, was one of the first of its kind approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education. ICB is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in the U.S. and maintains a reputation as a challenging, robust academic program.

    Study Abroad

    See Description
    Published Oct 19, 2016
    The CU Denver Office of Global Education is committed to providing every University of Colorado Denver student a wide range of engaging and affordable international study, research and clinical opportunities to help you globalize your academic and professional future.

    Discover More


    downtown
     

    Study Here

    masks-two-female-students
     

    Work Here

    goabroad-student-asia-mobile
     

    Go Abroad

    resources
     

    Resources

    icb-partners
     

    Partners

    campus-sunburst
     

    About OIA

    Office of International Affairs

    CU Denver

    Lawrence Street Center

    1380 Lawrence Street

    Denver, CO 80204


    CU Anschutz

    Fitzsimons Building

    13001 East 17th Place

    Ground Floor: STE. EG305, EG305A, and EG306

    Aurora, CO 80045


    • Contact Us
    • Website Feedback
    • CU System
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility
    • Accreditation
    • Employment
    • Give Now
     

    © 2023 The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.

    Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.

    CMS Login

    Webmail

    UCD Access

    Canvas

    Opens in a new window Opens document in a new window