The Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Global Education and Chartwells invite you to celebrate Lunar (Chinese) New Year 2020 with us on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 (actual day is January 25th). Chinese New Year, the largest new year celebration of the lunar calendar, is considered the most important holiday in Chinese culture. While the stories vary of how the new year began based on the storyteller, all versions tell of a mythical monster, named Year, preying on villagers, who eventually conquer him. Thus, on the anniversary of the date, the people recognize the “passing of the Year,” which is synonymous with celebrating the new year.
The date of Chinese New Year changes each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. While the western Gregorian calendar is based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun, the date of Chinese New Year is determined according to the moon’s orbit around the Earth. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which takes place between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. Other Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and Vietnam also celebrate the new year using the lunar calendar. This new year, 2020, is Year of the Rat, the first zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Those born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 and 2020 are considered a rat, who are believed to be quick-witted, resourceful, and smart.
So, how is CHC celebrating Chinese New Year?
On Tuesday, January 28th Chartwells will host a cuisine celebration with traditional food from China, Thailand, and Korea during lunch. The meal will include: Beef Pho, Thai Coconut Curry Soup, Tofu Fried Rice, Bulgogi Beef and Veggie Bowl, Orange Chicken, Crispy Tofu Chow Fun, Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry, and Vegetable Dumpling. Faculty and staff costs is $6.25 per person.
Later that evening, we will celebrate the New Year with a video presentation, samplings of Asian cuisine, display of Asian art and cultural artifacts, and a traditional Lion Dance, performed by the Philadelphia SUNS. This celebration will take place in East Parlor (St. Joseph’s Hall) from 5-6 PM.
**This event is free and open to the public, so feel free to bring your families and forward this email to those in your professional or personal circles.
Finally, if any member of our CHC community wants to share personal Asian cultural items for the celebration, please contact me (x-7751) or Ann Liberona (X-7989) no later than Monday.
We look forward to seeing and celebrating Lunar (Chinese) New Year with you on Jan. 28, 2020.
