On February 6, 2009, the Confucius Institute at Portland State University held its annual “Dumpling Feast”. A total of more than 70 people including students from the Confucius Institute, members of the Chinese Association, American friends and people from various fields who are fond of Chinese language and culture from the Portland area, Chinese overseas students and visiting scholars attended the event. During the activity, the organizers not only encouraged the guests to learn to make dumplings, but also presented them with sweet dumplings and various snacks to welcome the approaching Lantern Festival.

Ms. Liu Meiru, Dean of the Confucius Institute, introduced the history of dumplings and the Lantern Festival while showing how to make dumplings. Among the guests, there were lots of active attendees of the Confucius Institute’s Chinese Corner as well as new comers. They happily gathered together and devoted themselves to making dumplings. The activity lasted more than 3 hours and, as it ended, many guests were reluctant to leave.