Alfred H Knight China Celebrates Chinese New Year – Part 1
Chinese New Year begins on Sunday the 22nd of January, marking the start of the Spring Festival! The Lunar New Year is celebrated differently by people across China and around the world, so we’ve spoken to some of our Chinese colleagues to see what their traditions are and what this time of year means to them. Here’s part 1!
QIU ZHONGMIAO – DEPUTY TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR
LOCATION: Tianjin – Northern China
ZODIAC SIGN: Snake – Determined and wise, yet flexible and alert. (Lucky numbers: 2, 8, 9)
“As the most important festival in China, it’s a time to reunite at the end of an old phase and the beginning of a new one. The rabbit year is a meaningful and special year for my family, as my son will attend the college entrance examination this term and has been preparing for it with perseverance, as well as a hard-working attitude. I sincerely hope he can pass the examination and be admitted to his ideal university.”
SUNSHINE LI – BUSINESS SUPPORT ASSISTANT
LOCATION: Zhanjiang – Southern China
ZODIAC SIGN: Sheep/Goat – Calm, kind and gentle. (Lucky numbers: 2, 7)
“The Chinese New Year is a time of reunion and happiness. On New Year’s Eve, my family stick couplets, eat dinner, watch the Spring Festival Gala and set off fireworks with the children. We also prepare red envelopes for the elderly and children. For the year of the rabbit, I wish my family a healthy life and hope to travel with my parents and family.”
HEYDON LIU – INSPECTOR
LOCATION: Qingdao – Eastern China
ZODIAC SIGN: Dragon – Confident, ambitious and positive. (Lucky numbers: 1, 6, 7)
“Chinese New Year is a time for families to reunite, share happiness and look into the future. In the morning, we decorate the home with poetic couplets, red lanterns and some paper-cutting for windows. We eat dumplings and other traditional cooked food for dinner and in the evening, everyone watches the Spring Festival gala. Crosstalks and magic shows are my favourite. In the year of the rabbit, I am looking forward to having a new comfortable home.”