Cleveland Public Library

The People's University

Lunar New Year

2010 marks the ninth year of Cleveland Public Library's celebration of Lunar New Year.  Lunar New Year is a fifteen day holiday celebrated by ethnic Chinese around the world.  The celebration is the preeminent traditional Chinese holiday where businesses are closed for a two week period and migrants return home to be with their families and extended relations.  Homes are given a thorough cleaning to rid spaces of any lingering bad luck.  Residences are also dressed in red to prepare for good fortune in the coming months.  Gifts, elaborate meals and new clothes mark a fresh start for the New Year.  Families gather to prepare dumplings, New Year cakes and other special foods to mark the occasion and begin the midnight countdown, which is welcomed with fireworks and public revelry. 

The Cleveland Public Library celebrates the Lunar New Year on March 6th from 12-2pm in the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium at the Main Library.  To learn more about Lunar New Year, please check out these resources:

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year

Chinese Festivals: New Year paintings and holiday celebrations

Folk Tales and Festivals of Chinese Nationalities