LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jan. 22 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, a celebration found in a number of cultures around the world, including in China and Vietnam.
Halfway around the world in Louisville, people of all cultures and backgrounds gathered at the Buddha Blessed Temple to celebrate the holiday.
Hundreds of guests attended the event, filling nearly every seat in the temple. Festivities began at 10 a.m. and featured a number of performances, including from the River Lotus Lion Dance Team.
Team captain Christina Tran explains what she enjoys about being part of the celebration of the new year.
“Definitely the community because you see today, everyone gathered because they all want to celebrate this common Lunar New Year activity and so it’s really nice to see everyone in Louisville from all different backgrounds come to celebrate,” Tran said.
Tran has been with the dance team since she was a high school freshman. She’s now attending college.
Tran says she’s glad to share this part of her culture with the city.
“We drop the scrolls that say happy new year and we back out to leave the good luck inside the building so everyone who is in the vicinity is able to share that good energy,” Tran said.
After the performance was complete children received a small red envelope with money inside, called, in Vietnamese, a Li xi.
“It’s a symbol of good luck and fortune for the new year,” Tran said.
While most people know 2023 as the year of the rabbit, that’s not the case in all parts of the world. In Vietnamese culture, this year’s zodiac symbol is the cat.