The Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA) went on a trip to Washington, D.C. on Feb. 2 to attend the Lunar New Year celebration parade and take a look at the National Museum of Asian Art that was open to the public.
Sophomore Sophia Armato, APISA’s Marketing Manager, was appreciative of the sense of community Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown had and shared joy between people participating in the parade.
“Seeing people who looked like us, with the happiness of the crowd and sweet moments like grandma’s waving and little boys who were so focused on their routine partaking in the parade was very special.” Armato adds, “it brought a smile to my face and made me feel connected with the Asian American community…watching the dragons dance up and down the street was also very fun, and I appreciate this fun day spent with friends.”
APISA’s president, junior Leah Frankenfield, also shared her experience during her time in Washington, D.C. “This was my first time watching a bigger celebration for Lunar New Year in the US. Last year I said going to D.C. for Lunar New Year would be one of the coolest events APISA could put on, this year we did it and it was so amazing!” She adds, “getting to explore the museum and Chinatown with the best people was so much fun. Although it was freezing, the parade was so exciting to watch all the performers, it felt like a piece of home away from home.”
Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year, is a major traditional holiday that is celebrated in many countries, primarily those in East and Southeast Asia. Some of these countries include China, Korea, and Vietnam. Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon; this typically falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 2. It is usually a time for family reunions, feasting, and honoring ancestors.
Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with each having its own characteristic. People celebrate by cleaning their homes, to sweep away back luck, decorating with red for good fortune, and giving “lucky money” (red envelopes) to children and unmarried adults. Some festivities include dragon and lion dances, fireworks, parades, and traditional foods like dumplings, rice cakes, and spring rolls.
Lunar New Year is a symbol of new beginnings, bringing hopes for prosperity, health, and happiness in the year ahead.
Armato expressed her gratitude for the event and emphasized the importance of community. She left these final remarks: “thank you so much to APISA for hosting this event.”
To stay up-to-date with upcoming APISA, follow their Instagram @apisa.emu.
