Happy Lunar New Year!
This year, the Lunar New Year began on Monday, January 23, 2012 and we are celebrating the Year of the Dragon! Specifically, the Black or Water Dragon, which only comes once every sixty years. Descriptions and interpretations of this Black Dragon vary, but all seem to agree that 2012 is to be a very lucky year. We wanted to share with you how some members of our TC community celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Ivana, an alum of our Developmental Psychology program and a current staff member in our office, has shared with us how she will be celebrating and preparing for the New Year. For Ivana, it is traditional to have a family dinner and to clean and shower on Sunday, in preparation for the new year. Monday is a day to wear something new, perhaps a new shirt, and to relax and eat vegetarian food. On Tuesday, it is traditional to eat fish. During this time, young children and those who are unmarried collect red envelopes, filled with money to start the new year with. Pictured below, you can see some of the envelopes Ivana has collected over the years. Ivana also suggests wearing red during the new year, as red symbolizes wealth and good fortune!
TC’s Future China Initiative will celebrate the Lunar New Year on Tuesday, January 31st from 7-9pm at the 2012 Columbia Night – Spring Festival Gala. Festivities will include traditional and modern songs, dances, drama and Orchestra performances to celebrate the year of the Dragon. Special Guests will include Mr. Savio Tung and his wife – Columbia University Trustee emeritus, the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra, Peidong Xu – CPPCC National Committee, CFLAC vice president, Executive Vice Chairman of the Chinese Musicians Association, Kun Jiang - CPPCC National Committee, Secretary-General of Chinese Literature and Arts Foundation, Shuangbai Feng - CPPCC National Committee , Chinese Dancers, Association Executive Vice President, Junjiang Yu - CPPCC National Committee, CFLAC performing arts center director, Ailian Chen – Chairman of the Chinese Dancers Association, Guoqiang Tang and Tieling Zhang – CPPCC National Committees, and Kung Jiang, child star Alpha, Okawa country music.
New York City is also celebrating the Year of the Dragon. In Chinatown, there will be a Lunar New Year Parade & Festival and a firecracker festival on January 29th beginning at 1pm. Each year, the streets are packed with family and friends who come to see the parade!
TC Admissions
TC Gabriella
Voices of TC
