The Chinese Student Association (CSA) at the UW will be hosting the annual Chinese Lunar New Year show this weekend, marking the 40th annual lunar celebration of the cultural show.

The show will include a lunar skit along with martial arts, music and traditional dance performances from diverse cultures.

The Thai Student Association, Japanese Student Association and Filipino American Student Association will be participating in the event.

Students from various Asian organizations will also be sharing stories and traditions.

"We have requested performances from Belltown Martial Arts, Ichion Taiko, Rhythms of India and various other performing groups," said Jenny Lu, internal vice president of CSA. "Other possibilities include a cultural fashion show and a peacock dance."

Lu said CSA's key purpose is "to serve as a vessel for students through which to promote a better understanding and identification with the Chinese (and Chinese-American) culture and heritages. It is our passion to act as a uniting force among all people and serve as a catalyst for representation amongst all."

CSA expects Saturday's event to help accomplish this goal.

"We promote understanding and diversity not just within the Chinese people but people of all walks of life and backgrounds," Lu said. "CSA helps provide a part of the well-rounded experience that this university promotes by encouraging social development alongside academic excellence. It is our goal to simultaneously reinforce the confidence and beliefs of students as well as exposure to new ideas."

The Lunar New Year dates back to 2600 B.C., when the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac was introduced.

2007 marks the year of the pig, signifying graciously sensual and virtuous qualities.

For many Asian families,the Lunar New Yearis a celebration of change, celebrated by more than one quarter of the world's population.

In the United States, there are limited opportunities to publicly celebrate this holiday, and CSA is proud to create and provide a venue for this time of cultural gathering and sharing, Lu said.

"For the past 10 years, we have had extremely positive campus reaction and received many commemorations from participants, emphasizing the celebration's rich cultural display," Lu said. "Freshmen in particular will appreciate this cultural event and may feel the social and cultural experience that UW has to provide."

The event is also an opportunity for students and others to learn more about the culture's background.

"We hope to use this as an educational opportunity for people who would like to know more about the Asian traditions," Lu said. "My vision for this event is to have this event be self-promoting and that all cultures that celebrate the New Year take part in this annual event."

Reach reporter Vicky Yan at news@thedaily.washington.edu.