Red lanterns hang from building to building as fireworks shoot across the sky. Lion dances and envelopes filled with money bring excitement to children. This captivating scene is taking place currently across the world.
In many Asian countries, Lunar New Year is one of the biggest celebrations. It is also called Chinese New Year, Tết, or the Spring Festival. So, what is it? As stated in its name, Lunar New Year is based on the lunar calendar. This special calendar is used in Asian countries for the traditional agricultural season. The date changes every year, but it always falls anywhere between January 21 to February 21. This year, February 10th marked the date of the first new moon.
You may have seen the red decorations all around the school. The color red symbolizes good luck and joy in Chinese culture. According to the Chinese zodiac, this year is the year of the dragon, symbolizing power, nobility, and honor. It is predicted that 2024 will be a year of new opportunities and changes.
Did you know that the Asian population at WHS is less than two percent? This is why it is crucial that we share our culture and shed light on this very significant celebration. Asian students who celebrate Lunar New Year gathered together on Friday, February 9th to share a potluck lunch and to build community with one another. Fried rice, noodles, and various desserts were just some of the amazing dishes that students brought.
As one of the very few Vietnamese students here at WHS, I don’t get the chance to see faces that look like mine very often. The Lunar New Year celebration was an opportunity for me to get to know people who speak the same language, eat the same traditional foods, and have similar experiences as me. I know that in the past, the celebration has been a lot larger and involved more people. Over the years, the population of Asian students has definitely decreased. But, another issue is that not many students are actually wanting to participate. I think that it is very important for students to connect with their culture and find their identity rather than push it away. If possible, I would love for the Lunar New Year celebration to become something school-wide again so that there can be more exposure and recognition.
Overall, the Lunar New Year celebration at WHS was a very enjoyable experience. I was able to connect with my peers, have lots of fun decorating, and of course, indulge in all of my favorite foods. I had such a great time and I can’t wait to hopefully expand the celebration in the future. Chúc mừng năm mới!
