Within the spirit of unity, Alameda County has been internet hosting a Lunar New Yr celebration for 15 years. Monday’s program at Lincoln Corridor — the primary one in particular person for the reason that pandemic lockdown in 2020 — included 5 conventional performances reflecting the Bay Space’s numerous Asian communities.
The viewers of about 400 principally was made up of youngsters from eight faculties, whereas college students from 9 different faculties participated on-line.
“We come from totally different languages and cultures, however all of us share a typical planet,” stated Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, who hosted the occasion, together with Alameda County and the Asian Pacific Islander Group Collaborative.
“It’s particularly vital to have younger youngsters concerned as a result of as they develop up, they’ll embrace their id and tradition,” he added. “They’ll be pleased with who they’re.”
The Lunar New Yr is a crucial vacation for billions of individuals throughout the globe. It marks the start of a recent 12 months on the lunisolar calendar and celebrates the arrival of spring. In line with Chinese language astrology, 2023 is the Yr of the Rabbit, symbolizing longevity, prosperity and peace, marking 2023 as a 12 months of hope.
“We’re completely satisfied to be part of the neighborhood and present the younger era our tradition,” stated Altanzaya Batchuluun, a member of the Blue Sky Dance Group, which showcased the Mongolian dance “Magnanimous Grace.” The dance honors Mongolian ladies who took care of their complete neighborhood throughout wartime.
The Parangal Dance Co., based mostly in San Francisco, represented the cultures of the Philippines, with a legendary chook on the heart of 1 dance and a waltz on the coronary heart of one other.
The kids additionally have been thrilled to see the Lion Dance and Kung Fu Exhibition, because the artists engaged with the viewers throughout their acts. The dance, carried out by the Toishan Benevolent Affiliation, is a method to welcome affluent occasions.
“It’s all the time nice to see the dances and the music and youngsters actually having fun with it,” stated Richard Burgess, a instructor at Castroville Elementary Faculty. “Particularly for the reason that pandemic, I do know they wished to get out, and it was good to get them out of the classroom.”
Different performances included a Korean conventional dance by Me Sook Ko, which has been bringing Korean conventional arts to the Bay Space for 25 years, and the Korean Senior Middle choir, which sang the Korean folks tune “Arirang,” stated to be greater than 600 years previous.
