World Affairs Council of St. Louis’ 23rd Annual Chinese New Year Celebration
Nearly three hundred people gathered for World Affairs Council’s 23rd Annual Chinese New Year Celebration at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, Friday, February 7, 2014. Bob Fischer, World Affairs Council executive director, welcomed the guests to the Year of the Horse.
The evening began with a cocktail reception in the Zodiac Room. Unlike previous occasions, guests could participate in several activities like wine tasting, courtesy of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese paper cutting, tarot card reading, and raffles. The guests then adjourned to the Starlight Room to enjoy a delicious Chinese feast, served family style. During dinner, Educated Guess, a symphonic pop band from St. Louis that began in 2006, provided the musical entertainment. Voted Best Pop Band of 2013 by the Riverfront Times, Educated Guess’ style offered something for everyone.
The program honored the 2013 High School “WorldQuest” winners from the Council’s annual international knowledge competition held November 7, 2013 on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. More than 100 public and private schools received invitations, and 26 challenged. First prize went to students from Kirkwood High School, who earned an expense paid trip to Washington D.C., April, 2014, to represent St. Louis in a national competition involving over sixty cities. The Council also presented an inaugural special service award to Dr. Dennis C. Golden, President, Fontbonne University for his dedicated years of service to the organization. A live auction, successfully run by auctioneer Ron Harke, concluded the evening with golfing outings, family portraits, tailored shirts, get-aways, sports outings, nights on the town.
For over 20 years, the World Affairs Council (WAC) of St. Louis, an international cultural education non-profit, has sponsored an annual fundraiser that celebrates the arrival of the Chinese New Year. The event proceeds underwrite the council’s free international and cultural programs for students and people of all ages.
2014 marks the “Year of the Horse”. The Horse occupies the seventh position in the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. People born in the Year of the Horse share certain characteristics: clever, kind to others, cheerful, perceptive, energetic, and stubborn. Never ones to stand still, they pursue careers in which they interact with many people. They are considered the most sociable, friendly, and trustworthy of the animal signs. To Chinese men and women, the horse symbolizes absolute happiness. Therefore, you should have good luck if you were born in the Year of the Horse.
Founded in 1948, the World Affairs Council of St. Louis comprises a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that connects the citizens of the Gateway region to the world. The Council’s mission focuses on sponsoring programs that promote understanding, engagement, relationships, and leadership in World Affairs.The St. Louis Council, part of 90+ other councils in the United States, belongs to a national association headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Council system, originating its work in 1918, currently has 434,000 participants. More than 2,000 corporations and organizations financially support council endeavors. Today, the Councils collectively encompass the oldest and largest organization in the country committed to promoting “citizen” diplomacy and improving global understanding.
Membership is opened to anyone interested in international issues. The benefits of a World Affairs Council membership include the knowledge you make a difference in the way young people view other cultures and the camaraderie of colleagues interested in global issues.Council programs fall within three categories: Member Programs, Community Outreach, and The International Visitor Leadership Program.
