Asian New Year Festival celebrates Asian Cultures with performances, fashion show and more

The Kirkhof Center's Grand River Room was energetic as the annual Asian New Year Festival kicked off March 23. The event, open to the entire Grand Valley community, celebrates the Lunar New Year, a significant holiday in many Asian countries. 

Hosted by the Asian Student Union and sponsored by the Asian Student Achievement Program , this event was not only a celebration of the Asian New Year and cultures but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students involved. 

“Asian Student Union board members dedicate many hours to putting on large-scale events like this, despite being full-time students, working and being involved in other groups on campus," said Anna Miller, assistant director at the Office of Multicultural Affairs and staff advisor for the Asian Student Union. "While many of the board members are culturally diverse, they all share the same dedication to bringing this event to life for the community. Asian New Year Festival is a showcase of their ambition, creativity, blood/sweat/tears, and love for their organization.” 

At the event, attendees saw cultural performances, such as two dancing lions and a traditional Asian-style mascot from Ascendant Lion Dance in Grand Rapids. The Golden Tiger Kung Fu Academy presented a martial arts display, and there was even a cultural fashion show, showcasing the traditional dress from a variety of Asian countries.

“This is my second year attending, and that first fun, eye-opening experience has brought me back again. It's truly amazing to see some of the skills these young people practice within their culture compared to my American one,” said Zach Sommerdyke, a GVSU psychology student.

Allendale business Bamboo Express catered the event, providing dinner in bento boxes, a Japanese-style lunch box. During dinner, attendees could participate in some of the interactive booths. Some included a chance to get a henna tattoo, have their fortune read, practice origami or play ddakji, a South Korean game.

“When people think of Asia, they often think of China, Japan or Korea, but Asia is so much more than that. Even within the Asian community, there are countries and cultures that are overlooked, and we wanted to highlight these,” said Elise Tchieng, one of the engagement coordinators with the Asian Student Union. “The Asian New Year Festival is a perfect platform for showcasing these, as it attracts a large crowd of students and community members. As a Hmong woman, I understand what it feels like to belong to a lesser-known ethnicity, and the recognition of my culture brings me a unique sense of pride and joy.”

More upcoming events like this can be found on the Office of Multicultural Affairs website.

Two students involved in the festival shared how they celebrate their culture on campus year-round. Read on to hear their stories.

When Kamana Pokhrel first attended GVSU, she didn’t see a student organization for Nepali students – so, she created one. 

Pokhrel was born in Nepal and has lived in Grand Rapids for the past 13 years. “There was a lot of figuring out how to actually start a student organization. I’d never done that, it was a completely new project,” she said.

When asked her favorite event that her group, the Nepali Student Association, has held, she said it was the first one ever. “We don’t have many Nepali students on campus, so we were wondering if people would actually show up or not,” she reflected. “The haunted arboretum was happening on campus that night, and we all went to that together after the event. It was so cool.” 

This year’s celebration marks Pokhrel’s third time performing at the Asian New Year Festival. “Events like this are important, not just for the Asian community, but for everyone,” she said. “I feel like we are all very good with our own culture, but I didn't know too much about other East Asian cultures. Attending the festival the past few years has been an awesome way to see other cultures and the traditions they have.” 

Brandon Minor, a fourth-year student, has been involved in several cultural organizations throughout his time at Grand Valley. He now serves as president of the Asian Student Union in addition to his involvement in Black Male Scholars and Black Excellence. 

“I’m mixed, and I’ve always felt comfortable being Asian. But it’s been cool to learn about different cultures and hear their experiences,” said Minor. “All of it has made me more comfortable in my identity.” 

Minor also hosted this year’s Asian New Year Festival, which he said is his favorite event of the year. “We put so much effort into it, so it’s nice to see the culmination of all of our efforts. It’s pretty rewarding.” 

As president of the Asian Student Union, Minor said he hopes to pay it forward and create the same learning opportunities he’s had as a student for others. “No matter your race or culture, I just want to have a space where people can come and have fun and socialize, and make new friends. I hope our big events, like Asian New Year Festival, can give people a sense of culture and entertainment.”

— Thomas Garrett contributed to this story. Garrett graduated from Grand Valley in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in writing.