Dear MSM Community,
February 10 marks the start of a Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year is the celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. Lunar New Year is the longest and most celebrated of all Asian festivals and is observed by millions of people worldwide. China and many other countries in East and Southeast Asia — including Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines — hold their own New Year celebrations at this time.
In 2024, we ring in the Year of the Dragon, one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The animal designations of the zodiac and its variations follow a 12-year lunar cycle and are always used in the same sequence. The dragon symbolizes power, strength, and luck, which is forecasted to bring opportunities, changes, and challenges.
From my personal perspective, The Lunar New Year is the time for families to gather, wish each other well, and enjoy various traditional foods, such as dumplings, Tteok Guk, Chung cake, Yu sheng, and much more. Every dish has its background deeply rooted in each country. Different kinds of food have different meanings, which express people’s good wishes for the new year. For example, my family lives in South Korea and when I was young, we would prepare dishes such as rice cake soup, pancakes, and half-moon-shaped rice cakes stuffed with sweet fillings called songpyeon. I’ve been living in the United States for over ten years, so I haven’t had a chance to spend Lunar New Year with my family for a long time. Even though I can see my family throughout the year, this time of year reminds me of my childhood and the emphasis on family unity.
Picture: Songpyeon
This Lunar New Year, explore new and traditional foods and events! If you are looking for celebrations in NYC, many events are happening in every borough, but here are a few suggestions near us:
Whether your family is nearby or far away, we here at MSM are part of your family and we look forward to celebrating with you! This Lunar New Year, we wish you:
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè
新年快乐
Chúc mừng năm mới
새해 복 많이 받으세요
Kind Regards,
Julie Park Administrative Coordinator, Precollege
Enjoy these photos of some residents at MSM Andersen Hall who gather to enjoy celebrating and learning about Lunar New Year! The event was organized by MSM Resident Assistants Ying Wang and Ziyang (YoYo) Zhou!
130 Claremont Avenue New York, New York 10027 212-749-2802
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