Chinese community rings in Lunar New Year

The Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in Johannesburg hosted its Spring Festival to commemorate the Lunar New Year of the Rat in Nelson Mandela Square on 19 January.

The Spring Festival, which officially begins on 25 January and ends on 4 February, marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar calendar.

According to Ambassador Lin Songtian, in traditional Chinese zodiac culture, the rat is a very intelligent animal that symbolises agility, wisdom and resilience. “The rat is good at living in harmony with mankind. There are many interesting and enlightening fable stories about the rat,” Songtain said.

He added that this celebration remains to be one of the most important festivals on China’s lunar calendar. “The Spring Festival is a time for a family reunion and the Chinese people to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new.”

Songtian noted that the celebration has two purposes – to give the Chinese community a homely welcome and share the culture and traditions with the South African community.

“First, we want to provide an opportunity for the Chinese community in Johannesburg to celebrate the Chinese New Year together and experience the home-like festive atmosphere. Second, we want to share with our South African friends the joy and happiness of the Chinese New Year and pray for world peace and a better life for all people around the world,” he said.

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