Asian Culture Night | Photo by Jahid Hasan | The Wright State University
The Asian Student Association hosted the Asian Culture Night event on Friday, April 5, in the Student Union Atrium. The occasion celebrated Pan-Asian heritages through performances, snacks and a fashion show.
About ASA
Dedicated to fostering diversity at Wright State University, the Asian Student Association promotes appreciation and understanding of Pan-Asian cultures through a variety of multicultural and inter-organizational events. These events serve the dual purpose of education and enjoyment.
Inauguration
The program commenced with opening remarks from Ayumi Enorme, president of ASA, and Dr. Nicolyn Woodcock, assistant director of the Asian and Native American Center.
“This is my second time enjoying the Asian Culture Night, and I really enjoy this program very much,” Woodcock said.
The event
The program kicked off with a fashion show featuring participants representing a variety of cultures and countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, India and more.
“I am representing Vietnam tonight and wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress. It is a pleasure to be here representing Asian culture,” Mya Farley, an undergraduate student, mentioned.
Following the fashion show, a break was scheduled for attendees to enjoy a diverse array of Asian cuisine. Multiple tables were set up with a variety of Asian foods, providing a novel experience for many students. The audience thoroughly enjoyed sampling the different culinary delights.
“There are some familiarities in the type of food I am enjoying as I am from Nepal, but some of the shapes and tastes are different. I really enjoyed the food a lot tonight,” Suvechha Bhandari, a Ph.D. student of Biomedical Science, said.
Performances
Asian Culture Night featured a wide array of performances, including music, dance and representations of diverse cultural heritages from various countries. The event provided attendees with a vibrant showcase of artistic expression, celebrating the richness and diversity of Asian cultures in a unique and engaging manner.
This segment began with a solo dance performance by Dipika Jirel from the Nepalese Student Association. Following that, Enorme and her brother, Liam, performed a Filipino song, much to the delight of the audience, who were excited by the infusion of music from another culture.
Natasha Kennel, representing Malaysia, mesmerized the audience with a traditional dance performance. Following her, the Vietnamese Student Dance Group captivated everyone with their dances.
A special lion dance performance was also featured. Originally performed nightly during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year, this traditional dance from the Korean Bukcheong folk play involves a troupe adorned in lion masks and costumes visiting every household. The lion dance ritual aims to ward off evil spirits and beckon good fortune for the upcoming year.
The Indian Student Association presented dynamic dance performances, blending modern dance styles and traditional Bharatanatyam. The performers showcased their talents with both contemporary and classical dance forms, adding vibrancy to the event.
The event brought joy to all attendees, including international students, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
“This is a very new experience for me as an international student, and this is just amazing. I did not know that we have so many students across the world, and I came to know about the cultural variations of Asia,” Md Amran Hossen Pabel, a Bangladeshi student of WSU, said.
The program concluded with an electrifying performance by the Wright State University Associate Chapter of the Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
