Friday 27-01-2017 - 12:30

On the 28 January 2017, the date of Chinese New Year, Durham Chinese Scholars and Students' Association will be hosting an Asian Culture Festival at Durham SU Fonteyn Ballroom! 

This is one of our biggest events throughout the year as our celebration to welcome the year of Rooster. ENTRY IS FREE and there will be free snacks available. On that day, there will be many stalls that sell authentic Chinese food as well as Asian food from other countries; you can also try out some fun games with our volunteers. Moreover, traditional Chinese costumes and music will be presented on the stage, which will be lovely to see! 

Chinese New Year is a time of traditions, celebrations, family-gatherings and well-wishing. Find out more below!

Chinese Zodiac

This year, Chinese New Year - The Year of the Rooster - begins on Saturday January 28. The new year, also known as the Spring Festival, is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar. Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 blocks just like its western counterpart, but with the major difference being that each house has a time-length of one year instead of one month. This year it's the Year of the Rooster, the tenth animal in the cycle. The next Year of the Rooster will be in 2029.

 

New Year's Eve Dinner

The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important dinner for the Chinese. Normally, this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family members away from home. During the dinner, normally fish will be served. Dumplings are the most important dish in Northern China. These two dishes signify prosperity. Other dishes are dependent on personal preference. The majority of Chinese will have New Year's Eve dinner at home instead of a restaurant.

 

Shou Sui

Shou Sui means "after the New Year's Eve dinner" as family members will normally stay awake during the night. Some people just stay up until the midnight after the fireworks. According to tales and legends, there was a mythical beast named the "Year". At the night of New Year's Eve, the "Year" will come out to harm people, animals, and proprieties. Later, people found that the "Year" is afraid of the color red, fire, and loud sounds. Therefore, at the New Year's Eve night, people will launch fireworks, light fires, and stay awake the whole night to fend off the “Year".

 

Red Packets

The Red packet is a red envelope with money in it, which ranges from one to a few thousand Chinese Yuan. Usually the red racket is given by adults, especially married couples, and elderly to young children in the New Year days. It was believed that the money in the red packet will suppress the evil from the children, keep them healthy, and give them a long life.

 

New Year Markets

In the course of the New Year's days, a temporary market will be setup to mainly selling New Year goods, such as clothing, fireworks, decorations, food, and small arts. The market is usually decorated with a large amount of lanterns.