Lunar New Year—which is celebrated in many east Asian countries including China, Korea, and Vietnam, with the 12 honored animals rotating on a fixed Chinese Zodiac cycle—is the beginning of a lunar calendar year and based on the sighting of the new moon. Unlike New Year's Day, which is based on the Gregorian calendar and always falls on January 1, Lunar New Year's Day falls on a different day each year. In 2025, Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29, and lasts for 15 days, ending with the lantern festival on Sunday, February 16.
2025 marks the Year of the Snake—the wood snake to be specific—and on Saturday, January 25, the Edison Public Library will host several events designed to provide patrons with the opportunity to experience different facets of Asian culture.
Programs for both adults and children will take place at the North Edison Branch beginning at 10:00am with an hour-long Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration & Introductory Lesson with Zhiyuan Cong, professor and director of the Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University. Then, at 11:30am, Chef Maricel Gentile from Maricel's Kitchen will lead a Filipino cooking demonstration to provide attendees with the tools to prepare Pancit, a traditional noodle dish.
Adults are also invited to attend an Introductory Tai Chi class led by an instructor from Tai Chi USA at 1:00pm with a Traditional Chinese dance performance by Rutgers Chinese Dance Troupe set to follow at 2:10pm.
For children, an Introductory martial arts class led by a sensei from Satori Martial Arts Academy will take place at 2:30pm.
The festivities will conclude with a traditional Chinese music performance by Zhengming Guzhen - the zither and pipa-playing duo of Junling Wang and Guo Ran, at 4:00pm. |
