Celebrating the Chinese New Year

Happy Year of the Ram! On February 19th of this year, the Chinese New Year begins, and your favorite Tempe Dentist is here to fill you in on the festivities! This year, Phoenix Chinese Week takes place in a new venue in downtown Phoenix. Phoenix Chinese Week is a series of cultural, social and educational events highlighting the diverse culture of China. Its annual 3-day Culture and Cuisine Festival that attracts thousands of participants features the arts, food, dance, entertainment, history and heritage of China. It begins on Friday, February 13th and goes through the weekend at Margaret T. Hance Park (also known as the Deck Park) in downtown Phoenix. Admission is free and there will be free parking in the area.

THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES

TAIPEI DRAGON BOAT DISPLAY

A traditional dragon boat for races at the mid-summer Duan Wu Festival established in honor of patriotism 23 centuries ago will be displayed. Donated by the City of Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China to the City of Phoenix to honor their long-lasting and historically strong relationship as Sister Cities.

CHILDREN’S PAVILION

The Children’s Pavilion provides free children’s cultural projects. Demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy with translating English names into Chinese (using “Mandarin” pronunciation), paper folding, folk arts, paper cutting and other arts and crafts. Children of all ages can enjoy the complimentary cultural and fun hands-on activities tailored to them and reflecting the 5,000-year heritage of Chinese culture in folk arts, crafts and customs.

CHINESE CULTURAL VILLAGE: CHINESE CULTURE AND HISTORY BOOTH

See 5,000 years of Chinese culture on display. Learn how to use the abacus, the “Chinese computer,” to solve mathematical problems. Discover other inventions, including printing block, kites, compasses and more. Pictures, Chinese puppets, tangrams and other Chinese inventions will be exhibited.

PHOTO EXHIBIT AND ART DISPLAYS

Photos feature the Phoenix-area Chinese American community both as individuals and families as well as in many varied organizations from the past to the present. A special highlight will be selections of the artwork from the Phoenix Chinese Week 2015 Student Art Contest.

MAHJONG BOOTH: Saturday and Sunday – 12 Noon to 4 p.m.

See the art of mahjong tiles as you watch demonstrations and have an opportunity to try your hand at this game – a traditional pastime of young and old especially at Chinese New Year when a rest was taken from agricultural labor.

Happy Chinese New Year’s from your Tempe Dentist!