Red Deerians will get a chance to celebrate the Lunar New Year this upcoming weekend.
The Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society will host a Chinese New Year celebration at Festival Hall on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 5-9 p.m. As of Sunday afternoon, very few tickets were remaining for the event.
“It will be a great community, family-based event,” said Lawrence Lee, society president and Red Deer city councillor.
On the Chinese zodiac, Jan. 22 marks the end of the Year of the Tiger and the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit, which is an animal considered to be adaptable to changing conditions and resilient.
This upcoming Saturday’s event will be the first public Chinese New Year celebration in Red Deer since 2021 – the 2022 event was not able to happen due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“We’re going to have a traditional line dance to bring in the new year, to bring in good luck and beat out the bad luck,” Lee explained, adding there will also be a traditional dinner, with singing and other performances throughout the night.
“Even though (Sunday) was the official date on the Lunar calendar for Chinese New Year, the celebrations continue in China, usually for a month-long period. Any time in that window when you’re having celebrations, you’re really celebrating Chinese New Year.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a statement on Sunday regarding the Lunar New Year.
“As we step into the new year, may we all meet the challenges that face us with hope, prosperity and calm,” Smith said in her statement.
“One of Alberta’s great strengths is the diversity of its people, and cultural traditions like Lunar New Year are part of what makes our province such a great place to live.
“Our province is home to many different communities with different beliefs, traditions and celebrations. When we share in the celebrations of the various cultures of our neighbours, we are helping build stronger communities and a stronger province.”
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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