HAPPY NEW YEAR OF THE WATER RABBIT: 新年快乐

To keep the happy new year in China, you have to say “Xin nian kwài lé”, (.新年快乐), crack firecrackers and wear red according to tradition.

After 2 years of absence following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Parisian Chinese New Year parades are back this year, to the delight of young and old alike.

The year of the Water Rabbit begins on January 22, 2023 and will end on February 9, 2024. An auspicious sign, it represents caution. The year of the Rabbit, also called the year of the Cat, follows the year of the Water Tiger.

The Chinese astrological calendar

The Chinese calendar has 12 signs, each of which is governed by one of the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) which change every 2 years. For years ending in 0 or 1, it is metal; 2 and 3, water; 4 and 5, wood; 6 and 7, fire and 9, earth. In total, on account 10 cycles (5 elementsx2 years).

The 12 signs, represented by animals are: Rat (or Mouse), Ox (or Ox), Tiger, Cat (or Rabbit or Hare), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Goat or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig (or Boar). The first day of the lunar year is called, “Yuan dan”, it generally falls between January 21 and February 20.

After the Metal Rat, the Metal Ox and the Water Tiger, the new year will be placed under the sign of the Water Rabbit, synonymous with silence, elegance, kindness and responsibility, unlike last year marked by unforeseen changes, surprising developments but also tensions and rebellions. The Water Rabbit will return in 60 years, i.e. in 2083.

A colorful parade

Who says Chinese New Year, says colorful traditional popular parade, dragon and lion dance to the sound of drums and cymbals. In Paris and in the metropolises, the Asian community meets to parade in the streets. In the capital, there are no less than 4 major parades, the largest of which is located in the 13th arrondissement, but it is the one in the Marais district which opens the dance between Place de la République and the Hôtel de Ville. .

Paris 75003 and 75004

This Chinatown in Paris is the oldest. It mainly brings together residents of the community of Wenzhou, Chekiang province in southeastern China. The parade crossed the streets decked out with lanterns and posters after speeches by the mayor of Paris Center, Ariel Veil, representative of the PRC Embassy in Paris and representatives of associations. Dragons, lions, dancers, martial arts paraded in a good atmosphere to the sound of drums and cymbals in front of an enchanted public despite the cold. The parade was organized by the Festival Committee and the Paris Center 75003 town hall, which organizes an annual Chinese cultural week. (conferences, exhibitions, concerts, dragon dance parade, and martial arts demonstrations.

Paris 13th

The festivities began on January 21 with the decoration of neighborhood streets (lanterns and posters). In Paris’s Chinatown, the inauguration took place on avenue d’Ivry from 3 p.m., the kick-off of the festivities took place at 5 p.m., village hall of the 13th arrondissement town hall in the presence of the mayor, Jérôme Coumet and numerous associations. neighborhood. The parade, which has been around for nearly 20 years, will be held between Avenue de Choisy and Avenue d’Ivry on January 29. Other activities and shows are to be discovered at the town hall during the week:

• 01/21/23: “New Year Han Style” show in traditional costume (trial of traditional costumes between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Town Hall 13th;
• 01/28/23: Light It Up evening to showcase young talents from the Asian community (Pop, RnB, rap, Breakdance, Hjp_hop, Kpop), (from 8 to 10 p.m., 13th arrondissement town hall);
• 01/29/23: “Nuit du piano” concert by Chen Junhui, in France for the occasion at the Conservatoire municipal M. Ravel, 67 av Edison, at 8 p.m.;
• 02/23/03: Show “Comedy standing special Lunar New Year”, brought together in honor of Franco-Asian comedians. Free entry by reservation – 7:30 p.m. at the Totem, 101 rue Nationale;

Entertainment for children

• 01/25/23: Lunar New Year workshops for young and old (introduction of the year costume, fittings, tea ceremony from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the town hall;
• 01/28/23: Storytelling “Special Asian New Year (for children aged 3 and over on registration) Stories, songs in Chinese, French and Vietnamese, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Médiathèque JP Melville;
• 01/28/23: Introduction to calligraphy; 2 workshops from 3 to 5 p.m., JP Melville media library, 79 rue Nationale
  Exhibitions;
• 16 to 31/01/23: “The Hanfu Millennium Banquet”, a journey through the millennia around the traditional Hanfu costume, its evolution 13th arrondissement town hall;
• 16 to 31/01/23: Re Bonjour Mon Ami”. Collaboration of 2 friends Baofeng Hong and Xiaoxia Fauvel on the style and materials of painting and the traditional Chinese style Mairie du 13ème;
• 01/21 to 02/17/23: “Humans of Chinatown”, photo exhibition by Linda Nguong and the Banh Mi Club association which promotes Asia and Asian cultures through the media, highlighting the cultures of the inhabitants neighborhood. Choisy Park, 128 av. of Choisy, Belleville.

Chinatown in eastern Paris celebrates the Year of the Water Rabbit by organizing a food market on January 26 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. as well as a parade on January 28 from 56 rue de Belleville from 2 p.m. Dragons, lions, firecrackers, calligraphy demonstrations and musical atmosphere will be on the agenda. Lions will visit merchants and eat salad to bring good luck and prosperity.

Paris75008

The parade in the 8th arrondissement of Paris is the most recent. It takes place rue du faubourg St Honoré. Organized by the Fg St Honoré Committee, it invited the public from the corner of rue Boissy d’Anglas to rue Royale, between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday 23 January. To do this, around thirty artists from the Paris Lion Sport club paraded in shimmering costumes to the rhythm of the percussion Lions and dragons, bearers of luck and wealth, were there to help people discover Chinese culture and traditions. A real feast for the eyes!

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VERONIQUE YANG

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