Hundreds of people gathered Feb. 11 to celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Wesbrook Community Centre.
All the rooms on the ground floor, including the gymnasium, were adorned with ornaments and colours specific to the event.
Everywhere one turned, there were activities for people of all ages, including bamboo weaving, calligraphy, traditional flower arranging, and arts and crafts.
With the assistance of dozens of UNA volunteers, attendees—from small children to grandparents—enjoyed festivities that included dancing, Korean drumming, Chinese classical music, and cultural performances led by residents. Additionally, a variety of sweets, teas, fruits, and snacks were available.
This year, the central figure of the celebration was the dragon.
The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year. It is celebrated by various East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tibetan communities, among others. The date of the Lunar New Year varies each year, typically falling between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar calendar.
The significance of the Lunar New Year lies in its association with new beginnings, renewal, and the welcoming of good fortune and prosperity for the upcoming year.
Each year in the Chinese zodiac cycle is associated with one of the twelve animals, which rotate in a fixed order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal is believed to have specific characteristics that influence one’s personality traits and events of the year.
The Year of the Dragon is considered particularly auspicious in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Dragons are revered creatures symbolizing power, strength, and good luck. Therefore, the Year of the Dragon is often associated with prosperity, success, and significant achievements.
During the Lunar New Year celebrations, customs and traditions vary among different cultures but often include activities such as family reunions, feasting on traditional foods, giving and receiving red envelopes (containing money, symbolizing good luck).
Other customs include setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and displaying decorations symbolizing prosperity and good fortune such as red lanterns and paper cut-outs with encouraging phrases.
Overall, the Lunar New Year is a joyous and vibrant celebration, and the community-run event held at Wesbrook Community Center successfully conveyed that feeling to those who took part in the festivities.
ADA BUCUR IS A CAMPUS RESIDENT, POSSESSES A GRAPHIC DESIGN DIPLOMA, A PHOTOGRAPHY CERTIFICATE, AND OVER TWO DECADES OF JOURNALISM EXPERTISE GAINED IN HER NATIVE ROMANIA.