Chinese New Year kicks off with colourful performances and traditional celebrations

Dragon and lion dances kicked off celebrations over the weekend in Calgary as the community began a week of festivities to mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

For the first time since 2019, hundreds were on hand to commemorate the annual event — the first held in-person since the start of the pandemic.

"It's very exciting, this is our first Chinese New Year celebration after COVID," said Tony Wong, president of the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre. 

"We suspended it for three years, and now, we're reopened and the crowd is coming in droves."

According to tradition, says Wong, celebrations typically start 10 to 15 days before the first day of the Lunar New Year, which this year is Jan. 22. 

He says it will be more than a week filled with food and cultural performances from people of other backgrounds who also celebrate the Lunar New Year.

And for others, this is a great time for people to learn about other cultures. 

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley was at the Chinese Cultural Centre on Saturday to take in the celebrations.

"These folks are all coming out today. There's so many out because they're so excited to connect with each other and their neighbours," she said.

"They represent the resilience and the vitality that is Alberta."

Inside, the cultural centre was packed with vendors, dancers and music.

One of the big attractions was the traditional money tree filled with red envelopes.

"If every kid is well behaved, and if the kid learns how to say Happy New Year [gung hay fat choy] … to any of the elders or the parents, the uncles, the aunties, the grandparents, they receive a stuffed envelope stuffed with money," Wong said.

"As a kid, that was my favourite ritual of the whole year."

This year is the Year of the Rabbit — which Wong says represents purity, and will usher in positivity.

"People who are born in the year of the rabbit, they are expected to be friendly, gentle, tender and loyal to their friends," he explained.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek echoed that sentiment, saying she is certain this year will bring about peace and togetherness.

"I think it's important for us to stand with the Chinese-Calgarian community and celebrate together today," she said.

"They've withstood a lot of small-mindedness from people during the pandemic."

Celebrations will continue throughout the week until Sunday, the first day of the Lunar New Year.