Students Experience Hmong New Year Celebration
On October 13, Viterbo took a part of its student body to participate in the events of the Hmong New Year Festival in West Salem, Wisconsin.
Before boarding the bus in the morning on Saturday, Hmong Student Ambassadors Tsawb Vang and Houa Vang shared background information about the Hmong culture and the importance of the Hmong New Year holiday festivities.
Vang was excited to have Viterbo take students to the festival and states, “The Hmong community is a part of the La Crosse area, and I think it is important that students become aware of cultural events such as the Hmong New Year.”
Upon arrival to the festival in the Veterans Memorial Park, students noticed there were many booths set up, displaying Hmong clothing, jewelry, fruit and toys. The festival also offered Hmong dances, music and numerous sport competitions, such as ball tossing, volleyball and soccer.
Many of the students though, enjoyed their time in the various food booths. One student, Miranda Myszka, had the opportunity to try a food called pho.
“It was very good!” Myzka exclaimed. “I learned that pho is pronounced ‘fa’ and is a rice noodle traditionally used in richly seasoned soups.”
Myszka went on to explain that the Hmong have a tradition of cooking sweet sticky rice in bamboo stalks as well, but due to a full stomach, she was unable to try the dish.
“Pho is surprisingly very filling,” She explains. “I would definitely be willing to try the sweet rice next year!”
Other foods Myszka tried included papaya salad, egg rolls and a sweet-and-spicy mango smoothie. The festival overall had several other foods to from which to choose.
The festival also offered different types of tropical fruits and teas such as buckwheat tea.
“I really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful clothing and learning about the vibrant Hmong cultures,” Myszka explains. “I would absolutely go back again and would encourage anyone else to be open to the experience!”
As for others who attended the event, Jessie Benson was also happy to share her experience with us.
“It was definitely an awesome event,” she explains. “It was much bigger than we were all expecting!”
Benson says one of the highlights of her experience included the bubble tea stands that offered about 20 different flavors to try.
The hosts of each booth and stand wore colorful outfits.
“Most of the females wore skirts, and most of the males were wearing pants and a nice shirt,” Benson explains.
Some of the hosts also wore unique hats such as circular and upright ones.
“Overall, it was a pretty fun time,” Benson exclaims.
The festival was a memorable one and time for sharing stories and knowledge, as well as branching out to discover new things and help students step out of their comfort zones.
The culture expressed in the first-year common read, The Latehomecomer, came to life at this event and was able to help others feel like they belonged among its characteristics and traditions.