Listening To Chinese New Year Celebrations In Several Countries

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Chinese New Year or Chinese New Year is a New Year's celebration which is not only celebrated in China, but also in various countries, including Indonesia.

This celebration, which is also known as the Spring Festival, is a celebration that is more than 3,000 years old and has its own charm. Each year, the zodiac as a symbol of the year will change. In 2020, Chinese New Year is the Year of the Rat.

Unlike the AD calendar, Chinese New Year uses the ancient Chinese calendar. The calendar is also usually used to determine weddings, funerals, and the like to determine whether the day is good or not.

However, this year, many Chinese New Year celebrations had to be canceled. Beijing and Shanghai will not host their festive Chinese New Year celebrations due to the coronavirus outbreak. This corona virus outbreak originated in the city of Wuhan, and has infected more than 600 people.

The following are various Chinese New Year celebrations in various countries compiled from various sources by the VOI team, Saturday, January 25, 2020.

United States of America

There are many Chinatowns in the US, including those in San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. During the Chinese New Year, all Chinatowns hold a Chinese cultural carnival simultaneously.

Chinese decorations such as lanterns, lion dance, float parades and street parties take over the area, leaving visitors wondering if they are still in the US or are currently in China.

Not only Chinatown, the Chinese atmosphere also feels like Disneyland and Universal Studios in Los Angeles. There is a special arrangement of red lanterns in the shape of Mickey Mouse and other traditional ornaments scattered throughout the park.

Additionally, there are cultural exhibits at the Chicago Cultural Center. The Art Institute of Chicago hosts a multigenerational event to celebrate the year of the rat. This event features creations, music, games, art demonstrations, performances about the Chinese zodiac, and art-related conversations using English and Mandarin.

Canada

In Canada, a country known for its multiculturalism, Chinese New Year is celebrated publicly. From Toronto to Vancouver, wherever there is a Chinese embassy or consulate, Chinese diplomats and local government officials are invited to join the Chinese New Year Parade and other celebrations, such as costume shows and exhibitions.

Members of Congress would prepare lots of red envelopes to send to neighbors. But of course, inside the red envelope wasn't money but candy. The Chinese New Year Festival has been an official festival in Canada since June 2016.

Australia

The Chinese New Year Festival becomes an official celebration in Australia. Major cities all over the country celebrate this grand Chinese festival.

Festive activities include a beautiful fireworks display on Sydney Harbor on Lunar New Year's Eve, a Spring Festival Parade with thousands of people, a Chinese-style concert at the Sydney Opera House, as well as the Melbourne New Years Carnival and dragon boat races. For the celebration of Chinese New Year in 2020, almost simultaneously with the celebration of Australia Day, namely on January 26, 2020.

Hong Kong

Wong Tai Sin Temple is a famous temple and a major tourist attraction in Hong Kong. On Chinese New Year eve, thousands of visitors wait outside the temple before midnight and rush to the main altar to pray to Lord Wong Tai Sin.

According to tradition, the earlier they give incense, the better luck they will have that year. This tradition is not limited to those with strong religious beliefs; those who do not believe in a religion also usually remain in the shrine.

However, this year's Chinese New Year celebrations are different. This is because in addition to Hong Kong's protests against the Chinese government, activities involving many masses must also be canceled because Hong Kong is conducting strong surveillance to control the coronavirus outbreak that has spread from China.

English

The City of London in England, celebrates Chinese New Year annually. London is very proud to have the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia. The Chinese New Year celebrations usually include parades, Chinese costume performances and lion dance performances.

The main parades usually start at 10 a.m., passing through Chinatown and the city of London. After the parade, stage performances begin at Trafalgar Square, along with Chinese food-type dishes and other cultural activities.

Apart from London, cities in England such as Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Glasgow, also have their own celebration schedules to celebrate Chinese New Year.