Bustling Lunar New Year 2023 celebrations in California (USA)
In the US state of California, people of all races are joyfully welcoming Lunar New Year 2023.
 |
People participate in a parade to welcome the Lunar New Year in Anaheim, California, the US, January 20, 2023. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
For the first time in California’s history, Lunar New Year is an official state holiday. Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill declaring Lunar New Year a state holiday, as a way to “recognize the diversity and cultural significance Asian Americans bring to California.”
Lunar New Year 2023 falls on January 22 and based on the 12-animal cycle, for many Asian countries, this year is the year of the Cat (Quy Mao for Vietnamese people) and for Chinese people this year is the year of the Rabbit.
Lunar New Year celebrations in several Asian countries have been taking place since January 20 at Disney California Adventure Park, honoring Asian cultures, including China. According to Ms. Kelsey Lynch, Director of Public Relations at Disneyland Resort, in Chinese culture, the rabbit has the unique characteristic of knowing how to wait for the right moment to act. More than any other animal, the rabbit is a gentle, beloved animal and is considered the luckiest of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals.
Lunar New Year celebrations in the theme park include traditional Chinese musical instrument performances and calligraphy demonstrations. Visitors are also welcome to stop by the Lucky Wish Wall to add their own wishes for hope, health, and happiness for the coming year. This year, Lunar New Year celebrations at Disney California Adventure Park will run through February 15.
In recent years, Disneyland, home to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, has seen a boom in Lunar New Year celebrations, filled with well-wishes for health, luck and prosperity in the new year.
In California, an equally attractive destination during the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit is South Coast Plaza, located in Costa Mesa - the largest shopping center on the West Coast of the United States. Here, there is a nearly 5m tall rabbit, surrounded by hundreds of lucky lanterns in a garden full of gold coins and gold bars, expressing wishes for luck and prosperity in the new year.
 |
There will be many traditional Chinese cultural and custom performances to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, with lion dances, handicraft exhibitions and traditional food presentations that celebrate the ancient cultures of China and other Asian countries.