Residents rang in the Lunar New Year at MAM

Dragons, lions and rabbits took over the Montclair Art Museum last Saturday, Jan. 28, as AAPI Montclair, in partnership with other local organizations, hosted its second Lunar New Year celebration.

Lunar New Year is celebrated by various Asian cultures and commemorates the start of the new year on the Lunar calendar, which designates 2023 as the Year of the Rabbit. Because the rabbit is thought to be the luckiest animal in the Chinese zodiac, this year is expected to bring prosperity, abundance and fertility. 

Hundreds of people came together to celebrate these values while also partaking in foods, dances and traditional clothing that represented Asian culture.  

Saoli Nguyen, a member of one of the co-presenters, Vietnamese Boat People, felt invigorated seeing her culture amplified in Montclair. 

“I think right now, it is a joyful event that I love being a part of, because I grew up in a predominantly Asian community, but then I moved to New York City,” Nguyen said. 

“And I felt disconnected from the Vietnamese community specifically, because there aren't as many of us here on the upper East Coast. But to find a community like this and to be around other Asian people, I think it's a gift.” 

She also called the celebration “a form of resistance,” especially after the rise in Asian hate crimes since 2020. 

Assemblywoman Ellen Park, D-37, one of three Asian American women elected to state office and the first Korean American woman elected to the state legislature, briefly touched on the hate that the Asian community has faced. 

“COVID has been very detrimental to our community, not just as a health crisis, but also to embolden hate and violence aimed at our community,” Park said. “So I'm hopeful that the pandemic is behind us and that the violence is behind us and we can really celebrate together moving forward as the Year of the Rabbit.”

And celebrate they did. The festivities began with the dragon parade, as children waved silk flags and walked under the large representation of a fiery dragon.

Outside of the museum, families gathered around as Wushu Kung Fu performed the lion dance and Talium Tae Kwon Do demonstrated its techniques.

Inside, a plethora of activities were offered, including calligraphy, origami and playing the popular Korean game Ddakjichagi. 

Heeyong Chae, a student originally from Seoul National University of Science and Technology in South Korea who is finishing his degree at Montclair State University, was one of two instructors who led children as they learned calligraphy. 

Having been in the United States for only five months, Chae felt overwhelmed by the new environment. Thanks to AAPI Montclair, the festival served as a friendly reminder of his home.

“I was so nervous,” he said. “Everything was new to me when I came to America. But throughout this event, I can communicate with people here. I can teach them how to write Korean letters. So that is very special, because I think people in the U.S. might not know Korean culture well.”

Chae’s fellow instructor, Inna Urrego, is a part of the Korean program at MSU. Urrego, who studied in South Korea last year and plans to go back next semester, is thankful for events like these that prepare her for her time overseas. 

“There's a lot of awareness that is being taught about issues that are happening in Korea, like cultural differences, so that you can understand their point of view and see the Asian American point of view as well,” she said.

Along with the arts and crafts that honor these cultures, children had the opportunity to dress themselves in traditional clothing. Hanboks, which are traditional Korean garments, were provided for children to try on in various colors and sizes. 

Molly Mckenzie eagerly posed in her hanbok, as her parents looked on. Mckenzie’s mother, Jennifer Mckenzie, was excited that her daughter got to participate in learning about other cultures alongside fellow Montclairians. 

“We just think this is such a wonderful event, and it's so nice to see so many people in the community,” she said. 

When planning the event, AAPI Montclair and its co-presenters – the Montclair Art Museum, Fort Lee Chinese Americans, Glen Ridge Diversity and Inclusion Association, Korean United Presbyterian Church of New Jersey, Professional Filipino American Youth, United Asian Voices of West Orange and Vietnamese Boat People – aimed to amplify the beauty of different cultures.

Ruth Ro, board member of AAPI Montclair, said: “The idea is there are a lot of Asian families and that this holiday means a lot to them, and often it's overlooked because it's not familiar and those Asian students and families kind of celebrate, but no one recognizes or understands it. This festival is a way to make it visible and have others share in it.” 

Residents like Christine Hou are happy that the next generation of Asian American children get to proudly bask in their culture.

“It makes me really happy that they have this here,” Hou said. “It's a really beautiful celebration. I bring my kids here and they're so excited about their Chinese heritage, which was just very different than when I grew up. I felt very embarrassed by it. So it's so wonderful to see.” 

Volunteer-led AAPI Montclair is already planning its next event, the Color Run on April 16 celebrating Holi and Songkran.