南澳客家公会
Hakka Association Of South Australia Inc.

 

 

The Spring Festival

 

Indeed, the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a deeply rooted and joyous celebration that holds great cultural significance for the Chinese people. The festival's customs and traditions are not only observed in China but also by Chinese communities around the world, making it one of the most widely celebrated events globally.

​

The emphasis on family during this time is particularly important. The reunion dinner on the eve of the new year is a symbolic and heartwarming occasion, where family members gather to share a special meal. It reflects the values of unity and connection, underlining the importance of spending time with loved ones.

The vibrant and lively festivities, such as dragon and lion dances, parades, and fireworks, add a dynamic and spirited element to the celebration. These activities are not only entertaining but also carry cultural and symbolic meanings that have been passed down through generations.

​

The use of the color red throughout the festival, from decorations to clothing and even red envelopes, is a powerful symbol. Red is associated with good luck, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture, and it is believed to ward off negative energy. The exchange of red envelopes, containing money, is a gesture of goodwill and a wish for financial well-being in the coming year.

​

The 15-day duration of the festival provides ample time for various customs and activities, leading up to the Lantern Festival, a beautiful and illuminating conclusion to the celebration. Lanterns of various shapes and sizes light up the night, creating a visually stunning display that represents the hope for a bright and positive future.

 

Chinese New Year encapsulates not only the rich cultural heritage of China but also the universal themes of hope, renewal, and the anticipation of better times ahead. It is a time for reflection on the past, gratitude for the present, and optimism for the future.

 

The festival's enduring popularity reflects its ability to bridge tradition and modernity, bringing people together in a shared celebration of life, family, and prosperity.

 

 

 

OUR CHINESE NEW YEAR PREPARATION

We had had a lengthy discussion as it was in item 5.1, then suggested that we combined with the Hainan Association of South Australia; for a real big celebrations altogether. The 2024 Dragon year will start on Saturday, 10 February 2024. The Committee members pondered upon the occasion and in the end, conscientious agreed to showcase our Chinese culture to be held on Saturday, 27 January 2024. We shall thus meet again early December on Wednesday, the 06 December, 2023.  We will need to discuss further on all the necessary function details.  For examples, sponsorships of drinks or wine, the joint associations’ foods, venue and various entertainments such as lion dances, fire crackers and or traditional Chinese dances for the New Year Dinner, all in the next meeting. Actually, all these final decisions were considered based on the full picture that some of the members would be either too busy shopping at these times of the year or going away around early in February 2024. Chinese or Lunar New Year is one of the most celebrated festivals in Chinese culture.   The 2024 Dragon year will start on Saturday, 10 February 2024, the Committee members had agreed to celebrate our Chinese culture on Saturday, 27 January 2024. And the President is confident that we could attract adequate Hakka people to come and join us for a friendly celebration with our carefully chosen guests of honour. ​​​​​

​

​