Residents gathered at the Carmine Carro Community Center in Marine Park on Saturday, January 25th, to observe Lunar New Year and partake in festivities, cultural activities and learning – and enjoy a special lion dance performance.
Organized by the Marine Park Alliance, this celebration of the Lunar New Year brings forth tolerance, diversity and cultural awareness while locals enjoy East Asian customs and celebrations.
Throughout East Asia, countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and South Korea, among others, observe the Lunar New Year. Celebrations last for 15 days and begin with the new moon on Wednesday, January 29th, and end on Wednesday, February 12th, with a Lantern Festival. This Lunar New Year falls under the Year of the Snake, specifically the wood snake, which was last observed 60 years ago. In Chinese culture, snakes represent harvest, procreation, spirituality, good fortune, cunning, evil, threat and terror.
The ceremony was curated by Kristy Di Cario, who explained the traditions, customs and legends surrounding the Lunar New Year. She talked about the origins of the Chinese zodiacs: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig and how they go by that order due to a race.
Di Cario shared the legend about the origin of the holiday, in which an ocean-based monster known as Nian attacked a village and was repelled when an old traveler drove it away with loud noises, the color red and fireworks, thus setting the activities in the Lunar New Year.
She continued with lantern riddles, and when audience members correctly answered, they received a gift. Lastly, she explained other customs such as giving red envelopes, wearing red, not to sweep as you might sweep the good luck away, and what foods are eaten during the holiday, such as dumplings, noodles and rice cakes.
“I think it’s inspirational for the future generation,” said Amy Lau, an attendee. “It will be really important that the children learn about their heritage. I’m looking forward to more of these wonderful events from the community center.”
Afterward, the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club (CFMAC), Hung Ching, performed their signature Chinese lion dance. Throughout the performance, dancers showed off their moves and interacted with the audience by giving them mandarins, which symbolize good luck, as well as kicking a lettuce, which symbolizes wealth and fortunes to those who attend.
“We came here to spread our cultural traditions to the youth, to everyone else seeing it. Our lion dancers had a lot of fun and our instrument players as well; we do a lot of practice all year round,” Justin Wang of CFMAC said. “We came here to educate the youth about our culture and tradition to spread out our practices.”
Lunar New Year is just one of many events that MPA engages in to share many different cultures with locals.
“Lunar New Year is an event celebrated in a number of Asian cultures, and we’re happy to use that as an opportunity to engage with our neighbors who observe Lunar New Year,” MPA Executive Director Scott Middleton said. “We’re so pleased with the turnout and look forward to it every year as one of our best attended and most exciting events. It’s especially fun for the kids to take photos with the lion dancers and to enjoy a snack, enjoy a craft and enjoy the experience and the thrill of seeing a lion dance. As well, learn a little bit about a new culture for many.”
