the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, for the first time, various Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) groups in Ridgewood are collaborating to produce a community-wide celebration of our holiday.
photo by Boyd Loving
The Lunar New Year Festival this year will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2023. This year is the year of the Rabbit, the year of hope. The event seeks to raise cultural awareness, and recognizes the diversity within our Village.
Local-area families were invited to enjoy the live performances including the well-known Lion Dance and Korean fan dance, a variety of Asian food and activities. The event sold out quickly.
The Ridgewood AAPI Alliance includes Ridgewood Chinese American Association, Ridgewood Korean Parent Community, Ridgewood Indian Community.
Select members of the AAPI Alliance recently accepted a proclamation from the Ridgewood Village Council; a proclamation which honored the event, and recognized efforts by members of the AAPI Alliance in organizing it.
HyunJu Kwak posted on Facebook :
“Special messages from accomplished AAPI authors wishing Ridgewood happy lunar new year.
The response to the inaugural upcoming Ridgewood Lunar Festival has been overwhelming – thank you!
– Grace Lin, A Big Mooncake for Little Star, Caldecott Honor.
– Anna Kim, Danbi, Asian Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Award.
– Melissa Iwai, Dumplings for Lili, NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommendation.
– Aram Kim, Tomorrow is New Year’s Day, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.”
This is know as the Year of the Rabbit, Years of the Rabbit include 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927…2023 is a year of the Water Rabbit, starting from January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year), and ending on February 9th, 2024 (Chinese New Year’s Eve). The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
People born in a year of the Rabbit are called “Rabbits” and are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.
The most compatible zodiac signs for Rabbits are Goats, Dogs, and Pigs.
This promises to be a great event.
https://www.ridgewoodaapi.org/
Is this event sponsored by the Lunatics ?
Lost me with “raise cultural awareness, and recognizes the diversity within our Village.”