By Rachel Berry

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Confucius Institute at Miami University hosted “The Art of Paper” workshop, which introduced Lunar New Year traditions and Chinese paper-based crafts.

“The Art of Paper” was held from 2-4:30 p.m. on Feb. 7. This event consisted of 6 different tables where participants could try Chinese paper-based crafts such as paper lanterns, calligraphy and kite-decorating and block printing. China invented paper, and paper crafts are an important part of its heritage.

“I like the calligraphy because that is some part of Chinese culture that people do not know about,” said Fred Su, a sophomore international student from China who volunteered at the event.

Staff and volunteers from the Confucius Institute were in attendance to help participants with the crafts and to tell them about the Chinese history behind them. There were also tables with snacks and red envelopes that were filled with candy, similar to the Chinese tradition of giving children an envelope of money for the New Year.

“This has been great it’s been really well organized, and I like the variety of the different paper projects,” Peggy Jackson, a local art teacher, said. “I think it’s really interesting.”

The event allowed Miami students and faculty to enjoy Chinese paper-based crafts activities and experience Chinese culture.