RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts kicked off the Lunar New Year on Saturday with China Fest, a day dedicated to celebrating Chinese art and culture through events, film screenings, demonstrations and live performances.
In accordance with Britannica, the Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a year marked by the cycles of the moon, also known as the lunisolar or lunar calendar. The lunar calendar begins with the first new moon of the year. The Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in China, as well as in countries such as Vietnam and South Korea.
Each new lunar year is also represented by one of 12 animals, each with unique characteristics. 2023 year the year of the rabbitwhich can mean affection and peace.
On Saturday, February 4th, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts offered its own version of the month celebration. The day was filled with music, dance and even martial arts with performances by Yu Dance Arts, Richmond Moy Yat Kung Fu Academy, Choy Wun Dance Troupe, On the One Dance Company, Ethnobeat and Pacific Arts Troupe.
Guests also had the chance to create some art of their own as they made paper plate dragons and nature scrolls, and tried their hand at calligraphy and paper cutting.
For more information about programming at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, visit them online.