The University of Scranton celebrated Lunar New Year with festivals and workshops Thursday. Lunar New Year is a festival typically celebrated in Asian countries that starts with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later, on the first full moon of the lunar calendar. This is the Chinese Year of the Horse. The event featured cultural activities, including Chinese calligraphy, a Japanese origami workshop, a chopstick competition and lantern-making. The event was cosponsored by the university’s Asian Studies Program and the Department of World Languages and Cultures, with support from the Asia Club.

Attendees raise hands to answer trivia questions after listening to the presentation on Japanese New Years traditions during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Attendees raise hands to answer trivia questions after listening to the presentation on Japanese New Years traditions during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Attendees listen to a presentation on Japanese New Years traditions during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Attendees listen to a presentation on Japanese New Years traditions during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Attendees participate in a chop stick challenge, attempting to scoop up M&M's with chopsticks, during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Attendees participate in a chop stick challenge, attempting to scoop up M&M’s with chopsticks, during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Attendees participate in a chop stick challenge during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Tables worked together to move popcorn and M&M's to the plates on the center table. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Attendees participate in a chop stick challenge during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Tables worked together to move popcorn and M&M’s to the plates on the center table. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
An origami horse sits on a table during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. This year is the year of the horse. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)An origami horse sits on a table during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. This year is the year of the horse. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Spanish instructor Agustina Santivanez successfully delivers a M&M to the center table during the chopstick challenge portion of the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Spanish instructor Agustina Santivanez successfully delivers a M&M to the center table during the chopstick challenge portion of the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
University of Scranton junior Alex Iannone, left, and freshman KJ Smith, right, work on origami hearts during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)University of Scranton junior Alex Iannone, left, and freshman KJ Smith, right, work on origami hearts during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Attendees work on origami horses and hearts during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Attendees work on origami horses and hearts during the Asian New Year Festival and Workshop at the University of Scranton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)