Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams kicked off a series, on February 2, of cultural events in celebration of the Lunar New Year by hosting an educational exchange program meet-and-greet between 80 students studying Chinese language and culture at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School in Crown Heights and approximately 40 students from multiple schools across China. Joined by Li Liyan, consul and director of the Cultural Office of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, displayed an exhibition that showcased artwork focused on the 24 solar terms of the lunisolar calendar, which match particular astronomical events or signify natural phenomena.
Lunar New Year is celebrated by a number of Asian cultures with deep roots in the borough, including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. In particular, Brooklyn is home to a large and growing Chinese population; according to the 2016 American Community Survey, 7.8 percent of the borough identifies as Chinese, a population largely with origins in the Fujian province that now resides in neighborhoods such as Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay, and Sunset Park. Last October, Borough President Adams and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City will pursue a new archway spanning Eighth Avenue between 60th and 61st streets in Sunset Park, from Beijing’s Chaoyang District; Borough President Adams’ administration has established sister city agreements with that municipality as well as friendship agreements with the Chinese cities of Yiwu and Shanghai’s Putuo District.
BP ADAMS TO CELEBRATE YEAR OF THE DOG AT FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND LANTERN FLOWER MARKET
12:30 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH
BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL – PLAZA
209 JORALEMON STREET
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN
Tomorrow at 12:30 PM, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will join the Sino America New York Brooklyn Archway Association in co-hosting a Lantern Flower Market in the plaza in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall and nearby Columbus Park featuring celebratory giveaways and live cultural performances, including lion dances from the Eastern Culture Exchange Association and New York Lotus Light Association, kung fu demonstrations, and traditional folk songs. In traditional Chinese custom, candies, fresh flowers, fruits, and other holiday supplies are purchased before Lunar New Year at a lantern flower market, which will be held in Brooklyn for the first time.
Lunar New Year is celebrated by a number of Asian cultures with deep roots in the borough, including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. In particular, Brooklyn is home to a large and growing Chinese population; according to the 2016 American Community Survey, 7.8 percent of the borough identifies as Chinese, a population largely with origins in the Fujian province that now resides in neighborhoods such as Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay, and Sunset Park. Last October, Borough President Adams and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the City will pursue a new archway spanning Eighth Avenue between 60th and 61st streets in Sunset Park, from Beijing’s Chaoyang District; Borough President Adams’ administration has established sister city agreements with that municipality as well as friendship agreements with the Chinese cities of Yiwu, Fuzhou’s Gulou District, and Shanghai’s Putuo District.
***PLEASE NOTE: Members of the media are welcome to arrive beginning at 12:30 PM to cover the live cultural performances. A formal speaking program, including remarks from Borough President Adams, will begin at approximately 1:00 PM.***
Celebrating The Chinese New Year in Flushing, Queens!!