At 5:30 pm on February 8, 2013, Trojan Center Ballroom at Troy campus of Troy University is delicately decorated in a happy atmosphere. 2013 Chinese New Year Celebration is jointly organized here by Confucius Institute at Troy University (CIT) and Troy University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA).

About 300 Chinese students, American students and other international students, scholars and faculty gathered together to celebrate this traditional Chinese festival--spring Festival.

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Chancellor of Troy University delivered a speech and expressed his thanks to Confucius Institute at Troy University, which he said functioned as an important bridge between the two cultures and the two countries.

On behalf of CIT and CIT Director Dr. Iris Xu, Deputy Director of CIT Professor Xiaofeng Chen also expressed CIT’s gratitude to Troy University, CSSA and International Students Office for their support for CIT and their hard work for this celebration.

This celebration is a combination of traditional and modern performances and it shows characteristics of both oriental and western cultures. It includes not only ethnical and modern dances, but also songs, Chinese ethnical costume show, cross-talk and so on. Many kinds of delicious Chinese food including dumplings and spring rolls are provided. Trojan Center Ballroom is full of laughers and applauses.

This gala is not only an expression of Chinese to celebrate their traditional festival, but also is an occasion for international friends to experience Chinese culture. It increases the culture diversity and international atmosphere of Troy University and the whole Alabama state.