After shrimp dumplings, water chestnut pudding and a hip-hop performance, the Hong Kong Student Association had another successful Hong Kong Culture Night on Sunday in the EMU Ballroom.
Members spent three months preparing for the event, which HKSA president Bonnie Law said “shows other people how the Hong Kong culture works.”
Members of HKSA prepared traditional Hong Kong cuisine, and organized and presented several live performances. While food was being served, members of the association put on a play titled “Just Kiddin’,” which involved a hostage, two devious friends, and an endearing father and daughter reunion. The play was a comedy, but it also contained factual information about Hong Kong, such as the recent ban on public smoking and its $1,500 fine for littering.
Until its handover to the Chinese government on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was one of the last vestiges of the once-vast British Empire. Because of its history as an open port during China’s closed communist years, Law said Hong Kong is a very diverse city that represents a variety of cultures, which explains the wide assortment of performances. Songs, hip-hop and tango dances were performed in between breaks in the play.
University junior Chin-Tsan Chiu is originally from Taiwan and feels that being from a different country makes it difficult to feel at home. She believes that these events usually bring students with varying opinions together.
“These events are good,” she said. “You can meet people from your country, eat food together and socialize.”
Kelly Lien, another student who attended Hong Kong Culture Night, said that several of her friends are in HKSA, which is one of the reasons she attends its events. Lien attributes the event’s success with the amount of international students at the University.
“There are a lot of international students here, and these events are good because it’s a good exchange of cultures,” Lien said.
The events put on by the HKSA are not just for people from Hong Kong said San Koh, the co-president of the Korean Student Association.
“Our events are not only for people from Hong Kong. Anybody that wants to be culturally aware and involved are allowed. It’s a time for people to get together and have fun,” said Koh.
Associations like HKSA also work with other cultural groups, such as the Korean Student Association, in organizing upcoming events like International Week and others.
The Hong Kong Culture Night only occurs once a year during spring term and many international events are planned throughout the year. This week is International Week at the University, which culminates in the I-Night event Sunday in the EMU Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $7 for ID-carrying University students and $10 for those without IDs. Korean Culture Night is scheduled for May 13. Members of HKSA are planning a retreat for its members and during the summer of 2007 they will hold a new student orientation. Law is very optimistic and positive about the future of HKSA and its upcoming events.
“We want everybody to get involved and participate!” Law said.