Lunar New Year 2022

After Aurora and the Mute Lunar New Year Celebrations for the next two years, 2022 marks an era of strength.

Aurora | The lunar new year begins on February 1st. People around the world said goodbye to the Year of the Bull and entered the Year of the Tiger.

Often called the "Chinese New Year", the Lunar New Year is celebrated during the second new moon after the winter solstice, and is celebrated in China and many other Asian countries, as well as by Asian immigrant communities around the world.

"This is a great time to be with family and loved ones to celebrate last year and welcome the new year," said Harry Budisidharth, director of the Aurora's Asian Pacific Development Center. "A lot of performances and food revolve around bringing wealth, good luck and blessings to you and your family."

An animal from the Chinese zodiac system is assigned every year, repeating every 12 years. The tiger was last seen in 2010 and 1998. In Chinese mythology the kitten is associated with courage and strength - positive qualities after two years that demand a lot of both.

The holiday is marked by family reunions, in which extended families travel to see each other and organize parties. Children traditionally receive red envelopes with money, a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Many places even have fireworks displays or large parades. With the advent of the epidemic, which began to spread significantly in China as soon as the new year of 2020 began, many of these celebrations were canceled or much more suppressed.

The lack of opportunities to express cultural pride was also eagerly felt in the United States, as hate crimes against Asian-Americans escalated during the epidemic, which in many cases was driven by racist rhetoric surrounding the origin of the Covid-19. As the epidemic subsides, the opportunity to spend time with loved ones and celebrate Asian Heritage becomes more important, Budisidharta said.

"It's a great way to show your pride and celebrate the good things about the culture," he said.

Growing up in Indonesia, Budisidharta's family did not celebrate the Lunar New Year because the government did not allow the country's ethnic Chinese population to observe holidays or follow other Chinese customs. Now he is enjoying the opportunity to spend time with family, and said he is excited to share holiday traditions with his two-year-old son as he grows up.

"Kids choose the lucky red envelope because you get the money!" He said.

There are plenty of opportunities this week to welcome the new year into Aurora. Saturday at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, February 5 at 2495 S.C. At Havana Street, Shereta will celebrate Arora Singh with dancing and fireworks. It will also unveil new drinks for the occasion and include gifts with each purchase as long as supplies last.

The Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center will host a lion dance and drum performance at Stanley Marketplace on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The festivities will continue inside the Chi Lin Asian Restaurant, where red envelopes will be provided.

In Denver, the Far East Center will host a celebration at 333 S. Federal Blvd outside Truong N Gifts. Stop for lion dance and martial arts performances on February 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And if you can't attend any of the celebrations, you can always mark the occasion by having a meal or taking out at one of Aurora's local Asian restaurants. Just remember to tip good - otherwise you could have a bad year.

Thankyou 😀