International House celebrates Year of Ram, plans upcoming events

Xu Jinzhong (above), consul general of the People’s Republic of China, introduces the evening’s program in Mandel Hall, during the Chinese New Year celebration on campus last Sunday night. Below, a performer sings a traditional Chinese song and a dancer presents a Chinese dance.

The University’s International House shared in a celebration of the Chinese New Year this past weekend with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China and chapters of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association at seven area universities.

An overflow crowd enjoyed dinner, a cultural performance in Mandel Hall, and late-night dancing, karaoke, mahjong and other Chinese games at the event, which was named the Chinese Spring Festival Party in honor of the start of the Year of the Ram. The event was sponsored by Xu Jinzhong, consul general of the People’s Republic of China.

I-House has always been a favored venue for Chicago’s international community.

“I-House has renewed its mission to facilitate communication and collaboration among University departments and international organizations throughout the city,” said Henry Pernet, Director of International House.

One such event that demonstrates this mission occurred in April 2002, when President Randel hosted the first annual reception at I-House for foreign diplomats serving in Chicago and Chicago’s Consular Corps.

This coming weekend, the Turkish community will commemorate one of the most important Muslim festivals, Kurban Bayrami, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9. This event is being sponsored in cooperation with the Turkish Consulate General, the Turkish American Association for Cultural Exchange, the Turkish American Cultural Alliance and the Turkish American Women’s Scholarship Fund. The program is open to the public.

On the evening of Sunday, Feb. 9, H.E. Lalit Mansingh, the Ambassador of India to the United States, and Surendra Kumar, consul general of India in Chicago, will join Richard Saller, University Provost, for an interactive session with Chicago faculty and members of the Indian-American community.

Later this month on Saturday, Feb. 15, International House will hold its traditional Brazilian Carnaval dance party, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with continuous music performed by Chicago Samba, a local ensemble specializing in popular Brazilian styles.

In March, International House will begin its annual series of Spring Festivals, which run through June. On Saturday, March 8, the Mongolian Ambassador will attend the Mongolian Festival of Film, Music, Song and Dance, while Chicago’s Eastern European community will hold a spring folk festival from Friday, March 21 to Sunday, March 23. All Spring Festivals are sponsored by the Office of Programs and Special Events and are open to the public.