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As the Year of the Dragon approaches, Okanagan College is gearing up for a vibrant celebration to ring in the Lunar New Year on Feb. 13 at the Kelowna campus.  

Ren Tianjiao, an international student from China, shared their excitement for the upcoming event, explaining that the Spring Festival at OC means an opportunity to share one of their cultural traditions with their friends and community. 

"The Spring Festival means the beginning of a new year, the best wishes for this coming year, and family reunion to me,” said Tianjiao. “Getting to celebrate the new year with my friends at the College is going to be such a special experience. “ 

Ren's sentiments echo the importance of culture and community at Okanagan College. The event will feature an array of activities, including traditional snacks, crafts and a performance of the Dragon Dance.  

“Providing celebrations like the Spring Festival is one way we support our international students at Okanagan College,” said Gordon Shuster, Director of International Education at OC. “International students provide our community with such a diversity of culture, and we are proud to help all of our students celebrate these types of events.”  

The Spring Festival, which begins with the new moon and lasts until the following full moon, holds deep significance for millions of people around the world.  

 "I'm a foodie, and dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve is a family tradition passed down from my grandparents," Ren explained. "The traditional Chinese family styled dishes remind me of my parents and grandparents’ love.” 

Okanagan College students, staff and community members are invited to celebrate Year of the Dragon at the Spring Festival, which will be hosted on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Centre for Learning (E Building) Atrium at OC’s Kelowna campus.