Happy Celebrating Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year 2574 Kongzili (Airlight) is commemorated with joy. (Freepic Photo)

Chinese New Year is the most important celebration of Chinese people. Starting on the first day of the full moon is dated Chinese and ending with Cap Go Meh on the 15th. This year 2023 Chinese New Year falls on January 22.

Chairman of the Chinese Indonesian Association (INTI) Teddy Sugianto said, Chinese New Year is a culture that has existed and been celebrated for thousands of years. In China, the moment of Chinese New Year, as well as Eid al-Fitr, is used to meet parents.

All the children who migrated home. They gathered at their parents' house and ate together on Chinese New Year's Eve. The next day pray. Parents pray for their children and grandchildren. Then parents or those who have worked give angpao to their children. If the brother who has worked gives his younger siblings angpao. Everyone is happy. The hope is that in the new year it will be more prosperous. The business is getting more successful.

In Indonesia, the Chinese New Year commemoration was widely celebrated in the era of Gus Dur's administration. Previously, Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia were banned from being celebrated in public.

The prohibition was issued on Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 14 of 1967. The prohibition ended during the leadership of President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur by revoking Presidential Instruction No. 14 of 1967.

During the time of President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Gus Dur's decision was followed up by issuing Presidential Decree No. 19/2002 dated April 9, 2002, which inaugurated the Chinese New Year as a national holiday.

A decision that should be appreciated. Because actually the trace of the influence of Chinese acculturation in the country has been going on for a long time and looks significant. At least the effect can be seen from the culinary side. Starting from bass, tofu, dumplings, pempek, capcai and others. Or even batik and also for some areas of tradition in getting married, some are affected.

This means that everything has merged. Traces have existed since hundreds of years ago. Become part of the rich culture in the country.

Perhaps, in the new order era, Chinese descendants are more involved in the business world. Rare to enter politics. Or become civil servants and the TNI - Polri. Even if there is, it can still be counted with fingers. But now, very much. Some regional heads also have Chinese blood. There is no boundaries. Just like descendants of Arabs or the Netherlands. Everyone has the same opportunity.

It seems irrelevant if there are still barriers. The lion dance is now part of a tradition that can be watched openly. Become part of the rich culture in the country.

So, instead of questioning the bulkhead, come on, let's explore the tongue with the typical Chinese New Year culinary. SHOW off your eyes with a light color of lanterns and a lion dance game.

And, in the midst of the gloomy world's economic threat, in this sunrabbit year, everyone can be agile in welcoming sustenance. Gong Xi Fa Cai.