The Valley Stream South High School Cultural Society returned to Henry Waldinger Memorial Library to celebrate the Lunar New Year with local families.
The program held on Feb. 21 began with a brief introduction to Lunar New Year customs and a lesson on how to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese, including “Gung Hei Fat Choi” in Cantonese and “Xīn nián kuài lè” in Mandarin.
Children, teens and caregivers then watched members of the Cultural Society perform dances and tricks using ribbons, Chinese fans and Chinese yo-yos. The highlight of the celebration was the lion dances, which featured acrobatic movements accompanied by drumming.
The Cultural Society, led by teacher Jeffrey Hsi, has performed at the library for more than two decades. According to library director Mamie Eng, the Lunar New Year celebration has become a tradition at the library that the community looks forward to each year.
The program concluded with children having the opportunity to learn to use ribbons, Chinese fans, and Chinese yo-yos, to play the drums and to try on Chinese lion heads. Various crafts were available, and all attendees received Chinese fortune cookies.
Lunar New Year fell on Feb. 17, marking the Year of the Horse — specifically the Fire Horse, which occurs once every 60 years. The Horse represents freedom, energy and determination, while the element of Fire adds passion and acceleration. Lunar New Year celebrations are set to conclude on March 1.