Chinese (Lunar) New Year at UEA

As many of you may know, it was Chinese/Lunar New Year last weekend on the 28th and 29th January. Lunar New Year is celebrated by cultures who follow the lunar calendar but vary slightly all around Asia, depending on the region. The main ones that follow the traditional Chinese lunar calendar that are typically between late January/early February are:

• Chinese New Year
• Japanese New Year
• Korean New Year
• Vietnamese New Year
• Mongolian New Year
• Tibetan New Year

So as a Malaysian Chinese, Chinese New Year is a big deal for me, in the sense that it is essentially my Christmas (ie the biggest and best holiday of the year). The schedule that it would follow if I was back home would be: firstly, the Reunion Dinner that would happen on the eve of the new year, and followed by visiting friends and family on the first two days and have general celebrations. There's usually lots of special biscuits made only during Chinese New Year, lots of alcohol, fireworks, gambling, and the best part, hong baos (red packets). Red packets  are red envelopes filled with money given by married couples to anyone who isn't married for prosperity and more wealth.

Red packets - the delightful envelopes of money

 

An assortment of Chinese New Year biscuits

So for my fourth year being away from home, I celebrated the Reunion Dinner with the Malaysian and Singaporean Society on the Friday night. It was honestly such good fun celebrating with friends. We had homemade Chinese food along with some catered food from Lucky Star Restaurant from the city. There was homemade tong yuen and yee sang which made the event even more special. We also had a calligraphy competition that my table unfortunately didn't win.

 

 

Me posing with Karen, the Bruneian Ambassador & Alson, the Vice President of Malaysian Society



  

All the ladies who dressed up in Cheongsams (left); Homemade Yee Sang (right)

 

One of the tables preparing for the Calligraphy Competition

I hope everyone had a great celebration if you were away from home or if are at home. Do comment and let me know what everyone did :) !

Nicole Fong
Malaysian Ambassador