The WardlaLAartridge community enjoyed a festive weeklong celebration to commemorate Lunar New Year with a series of cultural activities.
A one-hour assembly on Jan. 23 in the Berry Performing Arts Center kicked off the festivities. Chinese 5 Honors students led a cultural presentation on the Beijing Opera, a classic form of Chinese performing arts. Two performers, clad in authentic Beijing Opera dress, shared their talents with the audience. Chinese 4 and Honors 4 students followed with a presentation highlighting the cuisine, clothing and customs of China's 56 ethnic groups. Middle and Upper School students closed the program with a group dance.
More songs and dances were on display during morning meeting and lunch this week. Chinese language students and international students led the dragon dance, ribbon dance, fan dance and other entertaining routines including the song "Brilliant Life."
The entire Upper and Middle School joined for a huge group dance in Laidlaw Gym on Jan. 29. The Chinese language students led the dance to "The Coolest National Wind" and invited all students, faculty and staff to join.
In addition, holiday arts and crafts including Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting remained on display in the hallway near the Center for Global Learning during the entire week. Guests were invited to stop by throughout the week and try their hand at creating their own Chinese masterpieces.