On Saturday, March 14, Tomsk State University will host a festival devoted to the traditions of celebrating the New Year in China. In China the holiday lasts for almost two weeks and ends in early spring with the Lantern Festival. At TSU, the guests will learn about the meaning of each day and will pass a quest that will acquaint them with the national customs of China.
- Chinese New Year is the most beloved and longest holiday for all residents of China, - says Irina Shvedova, director of the TSU Confucius Institute. - Each of these days has its own name and special tradition.
On the eve of the holiday, families gather for a reunion dinner - they wish well-being and longevity to each other. At the first days of the holiday, the Chinese usually honor elders, exchange red envelopes with wishes and avoid quarrels, cleaning and large debts, so as not to "miss" luck.
During the festive period, people go to temples, launch fireworks, arrange dances of lions and dragons, which, according to the legend, drive away evil spirits. On the second and third days people traditionally visit relatives. In the middle of the holiday, fairs and folk performances are held with crafts and seasonal delicacies. On the fifteenth day - the Festival of Lanterns - streets and temples are illuminated by hundreds of lanterns, processions are arranged and riddles are solved; people serve Tung Yuan - dumplings symbolizing family unity.
Photo by Confucius Institute
At the festival at Tomsk State University, all these traditions are combined into one program: a quest game, acquaintance with customs, master classes in jewelry, tea tasting, lectures on culture and language, Chinese festive rites. The Confucius Institute invites everyone to get acquainted with the multilayered culture, understand the meaning of each day and share the joy of revival and unity.
The festival starts on March 14 at 13:00 in the column hall of the TSU Culture Center.
In April, TSU together with students will host a concert dedicated to the Spring Festival.
