Austin’s Asian communities came together to celebrate the Lunar New Year during a vibrant festival hosted by the Austin Great Wall Chinese School at Webb Middle School. This annual event serves as a vital link for families to engage with their cultural heritage, especially since the Lunar New Year is not recognized as a federal holiday.
Mikanh Gaffeni, among the many attendees, emphasized the importance of such gatherings for her daughter to connect with their Vietnamese traditions. “Any chance I get to have our culture reinforce some of our traditions, I absolutely want her to have that exposure to it, too,” Gaffeni remarked.
The Lunar New Year varies each year, dictated by the lunar calendar, typically falling between late January and February. This year, the festivities commenced on Tuesday and will continue until March 3.
At the festival, five-year-old Amelia received a lai see, or red envelope, from a staff member. Her father, Wen Sun, highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “This event is important for her to know her family culture.”
Performers donned traditional qipao dresses, rehearsing energetically in the hallways. Nicole, a 13-year-old attendee, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “These events are full of fun activities and dance. You can explore the beauty of the holiday.”
In a display of cultural artistry, Jijun Wu, Xiaocun Huang, and Toni Huang showcased chunlian, or spring festival couplets, which are traditionally hung on front doors to invite good fortune and extend well wishes. Toni explained, “We usually put these on our front door and have the theme on top.”
Linda Xie and Michael Lu, from Austin Chinese Performing Arts, prepared diligently for their performances, adding to the event’s vibrant atmosphere. The Southern Sea Dragon and Lion Dance team kicked off the celebrations with an impressive dragon dance that captivated the audience.
A large crowd gathered to enjoy the spectacle, and children eagerly raised their lai see to attract the lion’s attention after the performance, embodying the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year.
