On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Salt Lake Community College students and the public gathered at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus to welcome in the Lunar New Year with a Mongolian cultural experience.
Taste of Asia began with traditional Lion Dancers, attracting students to the Event Center.
“I followed the lion to the event,” says student Nikki Christiansen. “I had no clue that there was something going on today until I saw the lions.”
Guest speaker and native Mongolian Gombo Chuluun, educated the audience by explaining what makes Mongolian culture so unique. Chuluun offered insight about Mongolia’s climate, style of dress, food, entertainment and more.
“I was really shocked about the weather. I didn’t think that [Mongolia] was one of the coldest countries,” says SLCC student Mohanad Alhayek.
Performances included Mongolian dances, songs, a wrestling demonstration and a modern Mongolian pop song.
Free Mongolian food was served to students after the performances.
“Their food is different, so I was really excited to see what kind of food they cook and eat,” says Alhayek.
Chuluun said that most every Mongolian dish involves meat.
Taste of Asia brought the Mongolian culture to SLCC. Students were able to experience the culture and learn what it means to live like a Mongolian.
“We can see what different cultures do, instead of just seeing their image that we get from other sources,” says Alhayek.
