Today's Blogpost is the beginning of the Lunar or Chinese New Year. As NYC's Asian population has grown, so has the many options for learning about and celebrating the Lunar New Year, which this years lasts 15 from January 25th until February 8th. According to the Chinese Zodaic, this is the year of the Rat. The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals, and are clever and quick thinkers, persistent and successful but content with living quiet and peaceful lives. They are also symbols of fertility given their prolific reproduction rate.
There are many opportunities to participate or observe Lunar New Year activities in the city as well as cultural events and exhibits throughout the year. And don't forget food culture! Here are some options: The Museum of the Chinese in the Americas (Chinatown); The China Institute (Financial District), Flushing Town Hall; Asia Society (Upper East Side); and Japan Society (Turtle Bay near the United Nations).
Flushing, Queens now has the largest Pan-Asian community in the city. Manhattan's Chinatown continues to be vibrant; for an authentic experience without the tourist crowdsan traffic check out Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood.
Some informative links:
City Hall free public event Tuesday, January 28th: https://council.nyc.gov/events/