A different kind of Lunar New Year in Sheffield

Chinese New Year is not just about sweet and sour chicken and prawn crackers.
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Today I am to clean the house to rid all the bad luck of the previous year, in preparation of a new start with the new year.

For the next few days I should not sweep, cut my hair, take medicine, or wear black or white.

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It may sound absurd but these are Chinese New Year superstitions that have existed for years - doing the wrong thing is said to bring bad luck.

Chinese New Year celebrations outside Sheffield Town Hall in 2019.Chinese New Year celebrations outside Sheffield Town Hall in 2019.
Chinese New Year celebrations outside Sheffield Town Hall in 2019.

February 12 marks the start of Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, which is an occasion celebrated across Asia.

Although the date differs each year, in the UK, the Chinese Lunar New Year is more widely celebrated and 2021 is the year of the Ox according to the Chinese zodiac.

Lunar New Year is usually spent with family and is a joyous occasion for many.

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A traditional Chinese family would have a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve and some may light firecrackers at midnight to scare off the supposed half dragon, half lion monster.

Chinese New Year celebrations at City Hall. Picture Scott MerryleesChinese New Year celebrations at City Hall. Picture Scott Merrylees
Chinese New Year celebrations at City Hall. Picture Scott Merrylees

Food is an important part of the festival period as certain types of foods are eaten for their symbolic meanings.

Supermarkets tend to market the event as a sweet and sour chicken and prawn crackers only type of feast though, which is quite inaccurate.

You would usually find dumplings, which are eaten for good fortune, fish for good luck, and noodles for longevity to name a few things.

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The rest of the New Year period involves visiting family, worshipping ancestors, exchanging red envelopes filled with money and going to watch dragon and lion dances.

Like every other type of occasion since the pandemic began, Lunar New Year will be celebrated differently this year, ‘in lockdown style’, as some have coined it.

I don’t tend to observe Lunar New Year very traditionally as a British born Chinese person who has spent most of my life living between two cultures.

I do have early memories of receiving red envelopes and trying to be persuaded to take part in some sort of Chinese New Year show with the Sunday school I was forced to attend when I was younger though.

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I do usually have a meal with my family at this time of year but thanks to coronavirus, we will all be in different parts of the country unfortunately.

We may not have seen each other in months and we don’t know when we will be able see each other, but I guess we must be thankful that technology means we can still keep in touch.

It also meant that the Sheffield Chinese Spring Festival Gala could still take place online last Sunday, February 7.

The event has taken place at Sheffield City Hall for the last seven years.

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It featured performances of traditional dance, acrobatics, orchestras and a variety of singers from around the world.

Sheffield Lord Mayor, Tony Downing also made a speech for the event, which ended with: “To all our Chinese friends and members of your community, I would like to say: open your windows to allow good luck to come inside, light up your lanterns with new hopes and inspirations, and I wish you all [Happy New Year].”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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