In cities like Sydney and Melbourne, public spaces were transformed this week with dragon boat races, bustling street markets and cultural performances bringing together thousands of people. Among the most popular were the Sydney Lunar Festival, which lit up the city with lanterns, art installations and Asian food stalls.
These events not only recognize the contribution of Asian Australians to the country’s culture, but also encourage people from all backgrounds to spend more time in Asian-centric spaces such as Melbourne’s Chinatown and the neighborhood Unofficial Koreatown.
The United Kingdom
The holidays were eagerly awaited across the UK. In Belfast, celebrations took place on February 4. Liverpool celebrated with free events from February 9-11. On February 10, London’s Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and the National Maritime Museum were abuzz with workshops, shows and family activities. If you still fancy an on-site celebration, the Chinese Cultural and Welfare Society Scotland will be hosting Glasgow’s annual Chinese New Year celebration on February 18 in George Square. There is even a free but paid art exhibition open to the public.
UNITED STATES
The Year of the Dragon is also celebrated across the United States. In June 2023, Colorado designated Lunar New Year’s Day, February 10, as an observed, but unofficial, holiday. This was after a similar decision in 2022 by then-Governor Gavin Newsom, who wrote to the California State Assembly: “Recognizing this day as a holiday recognizes the diversity and cultural significance that brings Asian Americans to California and provides all Californians the opportunity to participate. in the meaning of the Lunar New Year.
Leung notes that San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in America. There, the Lunar New Year is led by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and celebrated with three weeks of activities, including the famous Chinese New Year Parade, which has taken place since 1851.
“This year, [the Chinese Culture Center (CCC) of San Francisco] offers exhibitions and an artist residency – Master Chi Chi – showcasing the work of disabled Hong Kong artists with artistic activities for the Lunar New Year,” Leung explained. “CCC is also exhibiting Perilous Playground, a multidisciplinary exhibition curated by C&G. Artpartment, formerly of Hong Kong.
In the rest of the United States and North America, private Lunar New Year celebrations involve cherished family gatherings and time-honored rituals, like giving red envelopes and eating fish. Wong says family dinner is the most important part. The dishes are always a play on words, intended to elicit positive outcomes – the word for fish in Cantonese, for example, sounds like the word for surplus, he explained. The black hairy mushroom, another typical dish, “means prosperity or becoming rich suddenly,” he added.
Chris Kwok, Chinese-American owner of Hey Hey Drinks in Los Angeles, adds that “unfortunately, as generations stay in America, many traditions are at risk of being lost or not practiced due to language.” Americans will forget.” To continue the tradition, he is marking the occasion at his contemporary tea house by offering a special dragon-inspired drink, made with orange soda and pomelo juice, in the colors of the dragon.” All [gist] is to kick off the new year with as many blessings as possible. »
In cities like Sydney and Melbourne, public spaces were transformed this week with dragon boat races, bustling street markets and cultural performances bringing together thousands of people. Among the most popular were the Sydney Lunar Festival, which lit up the city with lanterns, art installations and Asian food stalls.
These events not only recognize the contribution of Asian Australians to the country’s culture, but also encourage people from all backgrounds to spend more time in Asian-centric spaces such as Melbourne’s Chinatown and the neighborhood Unofficial Koreatown.
The United Kingdom
The holidays were eagerly awaited across the UK. In Belfast, celebrations took place on February 4. Liverpool celebrated with free events from February 9-11. On February 10, London’s Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and the National Maritime Museum were abuzz with workshops, shows and family activities. If you still fancy an on-site celebration, the Chinese Cultural and Welfare Society Scotland will be hosting Glasgow’s annual Chinese New Year celebration on February 18 in George Square. There is even a free but paid art exhibition open to the public.
UNITED STATES
The Year of the Dragon is also celebrated across the United States. In June 2023, Colorado designated Lunar New Year’s Day, February 10, as an observed, but unofficial, holiday. This was after a similar decision in 2022 by then-Governor Gavin Newsom, who wrote to the California State Assembly: “Recognizing this day as a holiday recognizes the diversity and cultural significance that brings Asian Americans to California and provides all Californians the opportunity to participate. in the meaning of the Lunar New Year.
Leung notes that San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in America. There, the Lunar New Year is led by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and celebrated with three weeks of activities, including the famous Chinese New Year Parade, which has taken place since 1851.
“This year, [the Chinese Culture Center (CCC) of San Francisco] offers exhibitions and an artist residency – Master Chi Chi – showcasing the work of disabled Hong Kong artists with artistic activities for the Lunar New Year,” Leung explained. “CCC is also exhibiting Perilous Playground, a multidisciplinary exhibition curated by C&G. Artpartment, formerly of Hong Kong.
In the rest of the United States and North America, private Lunar New Year celebrations involve cherished family gatherings and time-honored rituals, like giving red envelopes and eating fish. Wong says family dinner is the most important part. The dishes are always a play on words, intended to elicit positive outcomes – the word for fish in Cantonese, for example, sounds like the word for surplus, he explained. The black hairy mushroom, another typical dish, “means prosperity or becoming rich suddenly,” he added.
Chris Kwok, Chinese-American owner of Hey Hey Drinks in Los Angeles, adds that “unfortunately, as generations stay in America, many traditions are at risk of being lost or not practiced due to language.” Americans will forget.” To continue the tradition, he is marking the occasion at his contemporary tea house by offering a special dragon-inspired drink, made with orange soda and pomelo juice, in the colors of the dragon.” All [gist] is to kick off the new year with as many blessings as possible. »