Happy Lunar New Year from SSC:
Millions of people throughout Asia and the rest of the globe celebrated the beginning of the new lunar calendar over the weekend. There were fireworks and festivals staged around the world, as families and communities came together to mark the passing of a new year. While this ancient tradition takes on many nuances in different cultures, it is generally a time of coming together and hope for a prosperous year ahead.
For our Korean friends, the Lunar New Year is referred to as “Seollal” and is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. It is a three-day event used by many to visit family and relatives, where they perform an ancestral ritual called “jesa”.
Meanwhile the Chinese New Year ushered in the year of the Snake. Chinese wisdom says that 2013 is meant for steady progress and attention to detail. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, and having one in your house is said to be a good omen because it means your family will not starve. We’re not sure how many of our member s and friends abide by this tradition nowadays!
In Melbourne crowds watched lion dances on the city’s South Bank, while the city’s Chinatown was packed with crowds enjoying colourful performances and sampling delicacies from food stalls.
Sydney, which claims to host the biggest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia, is holding its main twilight parade this weekend on Saturday 17th February. While the city will hold the official festivities, we’re sure Strathfield will be buzzing also. So be sure to drop in to Strathfield Sports Club if you’re in the area.
To all our members and guests currently observing the beginnings of the new lunar year, we wish you a fun and safe time with family and friends and all the best for the year ahead!