To celebrate the first day of the lunar calendar, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese families exchange gifts, attend festivals and enjoy each other’s company. Each culture’s observance shares similarities.
The Lunar New Year, based on the moon’s movement, occurs on Jan. 28. Families enjoy month long celebrations with distinctive food, decorations and other traditions.
Freshman Viviana Bui celebrates Vietnamese New Year with an envelope exchange, a popular tradition in all three cultures. Parents or grandparents present their children with red envelopes stuffed with money to symbolize happiness and blessings. The New Year allows families to connect and relax with each other.
“My favorite part [of the celebration is] spending time with loved ones. It is just nice to be in their company,” Jerry Bui, Viviana’s father, said.
Orlando, with over 9,000 people in the Asian community, offers parades and other festivals to observe the holiday.
Viviana Bui and her family attended the Vietnamese New Year Celebration at the Central Florida Fairgrounds on Jan. 21 and 22. The event included traditional dragon and lion dances, martial art demonstrations, a talent show and live entertainment.
“I like the food at the festival- I normally get egg rolls. I also enjoy being around my family there,” V. Bui said.
On Feb. 11, at the Orlando Fashion Square Mall, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Asia Trend Inc., partnering with Mills 50 and other organizations, will host a Dragon Parade and celebration to highlight harmony and the Year of the Rooster. With free admission, it serves as a way to immerse oneself in Asian culture.
The festival parade begins at the Anthem College parking lot and ends at the mall’s front entrance. The parade features lion and dragon dancing, colorful costumes and drummers. After the parade, the rest of the event, the Spring Festivity, highlights exotic Asian food, arts and crafts, drummers and the Cantonese opera. In 2016, the event hosted over 8,500 attendees.