One of the qualities that makes the University of Miami a unique place is the diverse range of events that all students are welcome to join. The Asian American Students Association (AASA) is hosting the 10th annual Lantern Festival on Thursday, October 16 from 7-9 p.m., in conjunction with the School of Architecture. The Lantern Festival celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival that is prominent in many Asian countries. All students are welcome to enjoy cultural foods, learn about different Asian cultures, and of course, build a lantern to cast onto Lake Osceola.
Keira Tellado, a junior majoring in industrial engineering, is the president of AASA and has been a member since she was a first year. “Our events are about appreciating Asian American culture and sharing it with the greater Miami Community,” says Tellado. Their goal as a student organization is to bring students together through education, culture, service, and social events that celebrate Asian American culture. AASA represents a diverse realm of Asian Culture, and the goal of the Lantern Festival is to showcase them all. Other Asian American based student organizations partner with AASA to table at the Lantern Festival typically bringing cultural foods or a fun activity to share with festival goers. Aidan La France, a sophomore and the Internal Vice President of AASA, encourages all students to come out and celebrate, “The Festival is a really good opportunity to learn about other cultures and just have a fun time experiencing different things with your friends and the community.”
AASA student Katie Wang helps festival attendees build their lanterns at the 2024 Lantern Festival. Photo: Catherine Mairena / University of Miami
The highlight of the Lantern Festival to most are the lanterns themselves. Students can decorate and build their own lantern to be cast onto Lake Osceola and light up the campus night. “It's just like a scene out of Rapunzel,” reflects Emma Soupharath, a junior studying Business Technology and the Vice President of External Affairs for AASA. Last year, rain dimmed the lantern lights, but the festival still went on, with over 200 people showing up for festivities. This year, AASA is hoping for a clear evening so the lights from the lanterns can be seen across campus.
Join AASA at the School of Architecture from 7 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 16. To learn more about the Lantern Festival and other events from AASA, visit their engage page here.
