 |
 |
It's the year 4708, and time to welcome the Year of the Tiger!
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year (春节 or 农历新年) is the longest and most important celebration of the traditional Chinese holidays. The Chinese year 4708 begins on Feb. 14, 2010, the Year of the Tiger.
Chinese months are determined by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is the brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. Chinese New Year is also the time when the largest human migration takes place. Overseas Chinese all around the world return home on the Eve of Chinese New Year to be with their families.
This holiday is celebrated internationally in areas with large ethnic Chinese population. It is considered to be a major holiday for Chinese as well as Mongolians, Koreans, the Miao (Chinese Hmong), Vietnamese, Tibetans, Nepalese and Bhutanese. These ethnic groups were influenced by Chinese culture in terms of philosophical and religious worldview, language, and culture in general.
Since its establishment in 1996, Jacksonville Chinese Association has successfully hosted Lunar New Year Celebrating festival with Chinese and Asian community as well as local residents in North Florida for last 13 years.
2010 LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION festival will be an exciting opportunity to share in the vast richness of the Chinese culture, as we promote peace through people and strive to establish Jacksonville as an active participant in the global community.