The Washington DC Taiwanese School (WDCTS) and Taiwan FUN recently hosted a vibrant celebration to welcome the coming of spring. The event, known as the "行春"(Kiânn-Tshun) celebration, was based on the traditional Lunar New Year and offered students and faculty a taste of Taiwan's rich cultural heritage.
The celebration combined games, creativity, and cultural exploration making it a lively and memorable experience for everyone involved. This year, several new creative activities were introduced to the program, and students had a great time participating in all the fun games.
The festivities kicked off with a creative game of a traditional ritual,"搶頭香" (Tshiúnn-Thâu-Hiunn), where participants compete to put the first incense stick into the incense burner. In a twist on tradition, students wrote their New Year wishes on bamboo sticks instead of using incense sticks. The game began with the youngest participants, the kindergarten students, and continued with other groups. The gymnasium was filled with excitement and anticipation as each group took their turn.
The second game, called "Taiwan Rail Adventure,”transformed the school premises into a lifelike Taiwan Rail route, complete with eight stations. Each station featured exciting challenges, allowing students to explore the unique aspects of different regions around the island of Taiwan. To add authenticity, members of the Parents’ Association took on the roles of station masters, announcing train names and station names in Taiwanese, Mandarin, and English. The immersive experience transported students to the heart of Taiwan.
The WDCTS and Taiwan FUN have once again demonstrated their commitment to promoting Taiwanese culture and providing enriching experiences for students. The success of the Lunar New Year celebration is a testament to the vibrant and diverse community at WDCTS.
