HURSTVILLE is already buzzing ahead of the Lunar New Year Festival this weekend.
The festival is held a week before the eve of the Chinese New Year on Saturday, February 9 — the biggest day of celebrations.
Already the shops are filling with traditional foods and decorations.
Hurstville residents Maggie Lei and Maryann Zhao joined Hurstville councillor Nancy Liu on a short tour of Chinese food stores in the Hurstville CBD yesterday.
"The foods have different meanings relating to Chinese New Year: the lucky lollies for the kids, the sticky rice cake brings the good fortune and the golden fish," Cr Lui said.
There is a lot to prepare for the new year celebrations which begin on New Year's Eve and culminate with the Yuanxiao Festival, or Lantern Festival on February 24.
Mrs Lei, from Hurstville, has a Cantonese background and said there were some special ways her family celebrates Chinese New Year.
"Cantonese people prepare sticky rice balls, and lots of sweet things," said Mrs Lei with Cr Liu interpreting. "And for the first day of the new year we don't eat any meat."
Cr Liu said that in the northern parts of China the dumplings are a very important part of the celebrations.
"You prepare all kinds of meat, that will mean that you will have a variety for all the year," she said.
"It is also a tradition to clean up the house before the new year to welcome a fresh start."
Mrs Zhao said it was tradition to put money in specially decorated envelopes to give to children.
"They give the money for the children to bring good luck," she said.
For the Chinese community the most important element of the new year celebrations is that it brings families together.
"The new year means that the whole community and particular families reunite for an important celebration," Cr Liu said.
SNAKES
The Year of the Snake: people born in 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989 and 2001.
Ancient Chinese wisdom says a snake in the house is a good omen because it means your family will not go hungry.
The snake is keen, cunning, intelligent and wise.
FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Saturday, February 2
11am: Traditional Dragon Dance and official opening by Hurstville Mayor
11.35am: Traditional eye dotting ceremony and lion dance by the Australian Yau Kung Mun Dragon and Lion Dancing Group
12.05pm: Forest Road street parade
12.40pm: Traditional Chinese dancing performed by the Lucy Dancing School
12.50pm: Reptile Show performed by Reptiles Rule
1.20 pm: Korean performance by Korean Cultural Office
2pm: Vocal Performance by Laraine Li
2.20pm: Chinese and Western pop vocal performance.
3.05pm:: Korean performance by Korean Cultural Office
3.35pm: Traditional lion dance by the Australian Yau Kung Mun Dragon and Lion Dancing
4pm: Close
PLENTY OF FUN FOR EVERYONE
MORE than 400,000 revellers are expected to take to the streets of Hurstville for the 2013 Lunar New Year Street Festival to welcome in the Year of the Snake on Saturday, February 2.
Hurstville mayor Jack Jacovou said the festival was shaping up to be a jam-packed community celebration.
To showcase the colourful elements of Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Korean traditions the annual Chinese New Year festival is now called the Lunar New Year.
There is a line-up of live entertainment and delicious food for families.
‘‘There will be more than 70 food market stalls on the the day along with a number of free children’s activities,’’ Cr Jacovou said.
The Bupa Kids’ Corner will be at Palm Court car park and young children will have the opportunity to pat baby animals and see reptiles, have their face painted and play on a jumping castle.
For the first time a colourful street parade will take place along Forest Road, starting at 12.05pm and weaving its way through the Hurstville CBD.
‘‘There will be a host of talented performers including Lucy Dancing School, a special performance by the Korean Cultural Office, and solo performers such as Laraine Li, TVBA International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship winners, and many more,” Cr Jacovou said.
A lucky draw competition will take place with the major prize a trip for two people to visit Hong Kong and Macau.
To enter, festival-goers need to pick up an official festival program, fill out the coupon and be present for the draw at 2.55pm on centre stage.
‘‘I encourage local residents and people from from all over Sydney to come along and celebrate the Year of the Snake in our wonderful city,’’ Mr Jacovou said.
Details: http://hurstville.nsw.gov.au/
Westfield Hurstville is celebrating Lunar New Year with festivities and special offers.
Visitors to the centre can see a unique exhibition exploring the diversity of Lunar New Year celebrations.
The centre will also host an Asian-themed cooking show, featuring the talented Chinese Chef, Yi Chun Chen and kids also have the opportunity to showcase their creativity at the free Asian craft workshops.
All gift card purchases of $50 or more made on February 2 and 3 will entitle shoppers to enter the draw to win two tickets to see the Shen Yun Dance troupe.
Details: www.westfield.com.au/hurstville
How will you celebrate Chinese New Year?
