Celebrate like Chinese

On the occasion of the Chinese New Year the “Society of Chinese Students and Academics in Chemnitz“ invites to ”Chinese New Year in Germany“ on January 30, 2015 at 8 p.m.

The beginning of a new year is being frenetically celebrated all around the world. Same is in the Chinese calendar, where the turn of a new year traditionally assumes a high degree of importance. What is more: the New Year is considered the most important holiday of the Chinese people. But wait a moment! Turn of the year? New Year? Is this news article a bit out of date? Not at all, because, unlike in Europe, the New Year’s Eve celebration has no fixed date in China and complies with traditional lunisolar calendar. Following the Gregorian calendar, which is used worldwide since the conversion of China in 1949, the festival falls on the New Moon between January 21st and February 21st. The ceremonial welcome of the year 2015 – Year of the Sheep – is celebrated this year on the 19th of February 2015. Besides, the Chinese New Year, which is traditionally called a Spring Festival, lasts considerably longer and is more multifarious than the local New Year’s Eve. Family gathering, extensive dining, gifts for the kids and lots of customs vaguely reminiscent of the Christian Christmas season.

One of these traditions is, for example, ‘opening all the windows’ to let in the happiness of the New Year. Thus, the lecture hall building of Technische Universität Chemnitz will open its doors starting at 8 p.m. on January 30, 2015 - not only for good luck, but also to all those who want to celebrate the Chinese New Year in a big intercultural community. The “Society of Chinese Students and Academics in Chemnitz“ invites for the 15th time to the large “Chinese New Year in Germany“, which will take place on the ground floor of “Orangerie“. “The date differs from the actual Chinese New Year, because we wanted to give as many students and those who are interested possibility to take part in the event. With a view to the upcoming examination session, we have therefore decided in favor of Friday, 30 January“, said Fan Zhang, co-organizer of the event. A rich entertainment program was prepared for the guests – for example a band ”Barracuda Bite“ will take care of the (live) musical background. In addition, various courses of Chinese culture are to be offered, including the origami folding, the traditional paper cutting and calligraphy. Besides, there will be various games, where one can even win a prize. “Visitors can further try on replicas of the traditional clothing from various Chinese eras, which go back 2000 years“, adds Zhan.

Also for the bodily welfare will be provided enough. Every visitor will receive a portion of typical Chinese New Year’s dishes. These include, for example, pasties, the so-called Jiaozi, as well as traditional dessert Tanghulu, which consists of candied fruits. Bar Windkanal e.V. will be responsible for the supply of beverages. The entrance costs one euro, including the plate with traditional Chinese food and five coupons, which can be used, for instance, for courses or games.

(Author: Martin Blaschka, Translation: Nataliia Boiko)

Katharina Thehos
26.01.2015

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