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PEOPLE & CULTURE
A NOTE FROM PEOPLE & CULTURE
The celebration of Chinese New Year starts on February 12th. It’s a holiday that is not only celebrated in China, but in over 20% of the world. It signifies the beginning of the New Year on the traditional Chinese calendar. This year is the year of the Ox! As we continue to celebrate the many cultures that make up ASM Global, we encourage you to dive a little deeper to understand more about cultures and traditions outside your own. Special thanks to our ASM Global team in Shenzhen, China for being our advisors and for sharing the customs of celebrating Chinese New Year. Be sure to watch their wonderful message and greetings below and read about the beautiful Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center. There are so many ways you can join the celebration. Our very own DeVos Place/DeVos Performance Hall/Van Andel Area in Grand Rapids, MI partnered with the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Foundation for a Virtual Lunar New Year celebration. They’ve invited all of us to share in the celebration. You can find all of this information and more….keep reading!
KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!
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CHINESE
NEW YEAR 2021 Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is China's most important festival. It is a time for families to be together and an official public holiday for one week. The festival has a history of over 3,000 years. Celebrations on New Year’s Day can be dated back to the ancient worship of heaven and earth. Over the centuries new traditions have been added and celebrations have become more entertainment-orientated. Chinese New Year 2021 falls on Friday, February 12, 2021, beginning the year of the Ox. China's public holiday will be February 11–17, 2021.
QUICK FACTS
*https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/special-report/chinese-new-year/ ASM GLOBAL LATIN HERITAGE MONTH // 3
THE YEAR
OF THE OX The Ox is the second of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which the animals arrived to his party. The Ox was about to be the first to arrive, but Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of the Ox. Thus, the Ox became the second animal. The recent zodiac years of Ox sign are: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033…An Ox year occurs every 12 years. The Ox is also associated with the Earthly Branch ( 地支 / dì zhī) Chǒu (丑) and the hours 1–3 in the morning. In the terms of yin and yang ( 阴阳 / yīn yáng), the Ox is Yang.
Oxen are the hard workers, intelligent and reliable, but never demanding praise. In Chinese culture, the Ox is a valued animal. Because of its role in agriculture, positive characteristics, such as being hardworking and honest, are attributed to it.
PERSONALITY AND CHARACTERISTICS Oxen are honest and earnest. They are low key and never look for praise or to be the center of attention. This often hides their talent, but they will gain recognition through hard work. They believe that everyone should do what’s asked of them and stay within their lane. Though they are kind, it’s difficult for them to understand persuasion using pathos. Rarely losing their temper, they think logically and make great leaders.
LUCKY THINGS FOR OXEN •
Colors: Blue, yellow, green
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Numbers: 1, 4
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Flowers: Lily of the valley and lucky bamboo
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Directions of auspiciousness: East, Southeast
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Directions of wealth: Northwest
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Directions of love: South
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HOW TO CELEBRATE
CHINESE NEW YEAR The main Chinese New Year activities include: 1) Putting up decorations 2) Eating reunion dinner with family on New Year’s Eve 3) Firecrackers and fireworks 4) Giving red envelopes and other gifts These four activities are explained below:
NEW YEAR DECORATIONS — LUCKY RED ITEMS Every street, building, and house where New Year is celebrated is decorated with red. Red is the main color for the festival, as red is believed to be an auspicious color. Red Chinese lanterns hang in the streets; red couplets are pasted on doors; and banks and official buildings are decorated with red pictures depicting images of prosperity. Most public decoration is done a month before, but home decoration is traditionally done on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
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FAMILY TIME
Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) is a time for families to be together. Chinese New Year's Eve is the most important time. Wherever they are, people are expected to be home to celebrate the festival with their families.
THE CHINESE NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER IS CALLED 'REUNION DINNER', AND IS BELIEVED TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE YEAR. Like people waiting in New York Times Square to see the ball dropping, Chinese people have the custom of staying up late on Chinese New Year’s Eve to welcome the New Year’s arrival. After reunion dinner, families normally sit together to watch the Spring Festival Gala, one of the most watched TV shows in China. At the same time, most people send WeChat red envelopes or short messages to acquaintances by phone.
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FIRE CRACKERS AND FIREWORKS It has long been a Chinese tradition to set off firecrackers from the first minute of their New Year. From public displays in major cities to millions of private celebrations in China's rural areas, setting off firecrackers and fireworks is an indispensable festivity.
Giving red envelopes during the Chinese New Year is a custom popular in Chinese communities around the world. The most common New Year gifts are red envelopes.
GIFTS & RED ENVELOPES
Red envelopes have money inside, and are believed to bring good luck and fortune because they are red. They are given to children and retirees. Customarily only employers give red envelopes to working adults.
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EVENT
SPOTLIGHT
Virtual Lunar New Year Celebration Friday, February 12, 2021 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST Join the DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall and Van Andel Arena Team as they partner with the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation in a virtual celebration that will feature cultural performances around Downtown Grand Rapids! Everyone is invited to watch online from the comfort of their home to encourage social distancing.
Programming includes: •
Lion dance performances
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Musical performances by local AsianAmerican artists (including Shin Hoo Yong and Some Never Really Get SNRG
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Traditional folk dances and music from multiple cultures
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A pho eating contest! ASM GLOBAL LATIN HERITAGE MONTH // 8
VENUE
SPOTLIGHT
Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Shenzhen World for short) is a major project invested by the Shenzhen Municipal Government and jointly constructed by China Merchants Shekou and Overseas Chinese Town for operation. It marks a mega exhibition and convention complex integrating exhibitions, conferences, events (games and performances, etc), catering and all other sorts of services. It is the largest convention center in the world. Phase I of the project started in September, 2016. It was fully completed in September 2019 and put in operation in November. The venue boasts an outstanding geographic location with sound resources and tremendous development potential. • Chinese name: 深 圳 国 际 会 展 中 心
• English name: Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center • English abbreviation: Shenzhen World • Construction area: 1.6 million square meters (Phase I) • Indoor exhibition space: 400,000 square meters (Phase I), 500,000 square meters (full completion) • Hall number: 19 (Phase I)
CLICK HERE venue highlight video
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