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Inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration

Board of Supervisors Invites You to the Inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration Honoring the Diverse Cultures and Traditions in Our Communities

(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors honors Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions, inviting the community to the free, virtual event for the inaugural New Year Celebration on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, early during the 9 am Board of Supervisors meeting as the main presentation.

“We want to recognize one of the most important celebrations for our Asian and Pacific Islander communities and dismiss monolithic stereotypes by featuring the diversity in our Asian communities,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. “Contra Costa County will make history on the first day of this year’s Lunar New Year, February 1st, with the inaugural event as we honor and celebrate the many different Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions. As an important and integral part of our County family, we celebrate the new year with you, and wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year!”

The Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration will feature guest speakers, Susun Kim, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, and Professor Kent Wong, Director of the University of California, Los Angeles Labor Center.

The multicultural celebration will feature dance, music, food, and unique customs from some of the many Asian and Pacific Islander communities represented in Contra Costa County, including Nepalese, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai, and Indian communities.

The community can watch the event live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov/6086 or www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will also broadcast live on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) channels: Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, and WAVE 32.

Other Online Events 

  • Lunar New Year Virtual Storytelling by Asian Art Museum
    • Sunday, January 30, 2022, at 11 A.M.; FREE

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  • Ring in the Year of the Tiger with this virtual presentation for adults and teens from the Asian Art Museum. Learn about the colorful traditions and symbolism which enrich the celebration of the Lunar New Year throughout Asian cultures. Register online below
    • Tuesday, February 9, 2022, at 5 P.M.

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About Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is a celebration in China, Vietnam, Korea, Tibet, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, and other Asian Countries. The festivities begin with the first moon of the lunar calendar and end on the 15th day.  In 2022, Lunar New Year will begin on February 1, 2022. 

Traditions of Lunar New Year

Traditions vary from country to country. However, most Asian countries will share some of the traditions listed below: 

  • Cleaning house: Cleaning house is customary for many countries as it is believed to rid of bad fortune from the previous year.
  • Gathering with Family: This is a time to feast and visit elders and family members. 
  • Giving out lucky money in an envelope: Lucky money is placed in a red envelope, in China, it’s called Hong bao, “Li xi” in Vietnamese, and “Sae Bae Don” (Lucky money is placed in a white or patterned envelope instead of red) in Korean.

Zodiac Animals 

Referred to as the Chinese Zodiac, this is a traditional classification scheme based on the lunar calendar. Each year is assigned to 1 of 12 animals and repeats after a twelve-year cycle in the following order Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 

Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals and 2022 represents the Year of the Tiger

Chinese New Year Zodiac seal. Traditional china horoscope animals greeting card banner seals stamps vector set

 

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