Celebrating Lunar New Year, The Year of the Rabbit  

Gong Hay Fat Choy! January 22 marks the beginning of Lunar New Year -- Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal, Tibetan Losar, and Spring Festival, which celebrates the arrival of the new year in Asia and ends 16 days later with the first full moon. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, which symbolizes longevity, peace, prosperity, hope, and contemplation. 

On Sunday, January 29, Seton Hall University partnered with South Orange Maplewood Cross Cultural Works to sponsor Lunar Fest NJ 2023 at The Woodland in Maplewood, N.J. Hundreds of community members gathered for an exciting afternoon of performances, including a lion dance from Fong’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Association, traditional Korean dances from Woori Garak Korean Cultural Art Center, Indonesian dances from Saung Budaya Dance, traditional Chinese folk dances featuring FA Dance Academy, Chinese acrobatics from Master Yang Xiaodi, book readings from local authors Boba Bear Bilingual and Hello Prosper, and Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do demonstrations. Local food vendors, including Keo Ku Korean Restaurant, Kung Fu Tea, and Hana Sushi served homemade, traditional Asian cuisine.  

Dr. Monica Burnette, Vice President of Student Services and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, spoke at the event sharing, "I'm honored to serve as the first Asian-American Vice President of Student Services at Seton Hall, and also a proud member of the South Orange Maplewood community. As part of our Strategic Plan, our DEI Committee aims to educate and empower community members to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice on campus and in the wider world. A part of that goal includes fostering and cultivating partnerships within our community. We thank SOMA CCW for once again inviting Seton Hall University to sponsor Lunar Fest NJ this year." 

Additional Local Lunar New Year Celebrations
•  February 4 – MOCA and New York Chinese Cultural Center Celebrate Lunar New Year with Dance and Music
•  February 5 – Lunar New Year Celebration (Queens, NYC) 
•  February 12 – Lunar New Year Parade & Festival
•  New Jersey Events
•  New York City Events
•  Craft ideas and activities

Continue to check the University Calendar for additional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Events.   

If you are interested in helping to plan Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month in May 2023, please fill out our interest form or email [email protected].

Categories: Arts and Culture