KOREAN NET

Attracting attention with an event showcasing multiple national cultures

Around Lunar New Year, the most important holiday in Korea, numerous large and small Lunar New Year celebrations took place in New York and New Jersey in the United States.

Photo: Assemblywoman Ellen Park giving congratulatory remarks to open the event

The majority of events were organized by Korean associations, Korean schools, Korean organizations, and Korean parent associations; however, the Lunar New Year event hosted by AAPI Montclair, the most active Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) group in New Jersey, attracted attention as an event that introduced the cultures of various countries celebrating Lunar New Year in East Asia and Southeast Asia, including China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, in addition to Korea.

Photo: Traditional Chinese paper craft

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the event held at the Montclair Museum and Front Yard in New Jersey began with a moment of silence for the victims of the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California. The special guests invited that day began by stating in unison, "This incident is a tragic event that occurred in the Asian community," and that we must do everything possible to resolve gun control in the United States and ensure the safety of the Asian community. Although this incident occurred in California, Asians in northern New Jersey, where there is a substantial Asian population, were clearly concerned that its effects would reach their state. In addition, many people are trembling with fear due to occasional reports of hate crimes against Asians in Manhattan, New York, which is a short distance away.

Photo: Ice sculptures recreating the Ice Lantern Festival

The event held on this day was participated in by New Jersey Korean United Presbyterian Church, Wushu Martial Arts, Montclair public schools, the Korean Chamnuri Dance Company, the New York Chinese Cultural Center, Talium Taekwondo, the Vietnamese Cultural Dance Team, the Thunder Drum Team, Montclair Kimberly Academy, and the Cohesion K-pop Dance Team. Over the course of approximately four hours, numerous events and activities were held, including performances on an outdoor stage, food trucks, indoor calligraphy, paper crafts, and Asian book sales. At the event, various cultural performances from Korean and Chinese to Vietnamese were put on so that attendees could experience a greater array of cultures.

Photo: "Sajanoreum" (Chinese Lion Dance)

Taekwondo's undeniable popularity was on display as kids of all different cultural backgrounds donned uniforms and performed breaking and combat routines.

As traditional dance has been representative of Korean culture, a contemporary K-pop dance performance could not be omitted from this event, and the dancers received massive rounds of applause from the audience.

Photo: Korean drum dance performance

Photo: Jegichagi and Ttakjichigi

Amber Reed, president of the Montclair AAPI, who was appointed to the AAPI Education Commission of the New Jersey State Government, conveyed the significance of the event by stating, "I am very excited to reopen this event, which was suspended in the wake of the pandemic; however, it is regrettable that Asian rights and interests in New York and New Jersey are significantly weaker than desired." She closed her remarks by saying, "By holding these various cultural events in the region, we hope to demonstrate that we are also American citizens." President Amber Reed will play a key role in determining the overall curriculum and system of Asian-American history education, which will become mandatory in New Jersey schools this year.

Chairman Julie Kim of the Montclair AAPI Board of Directors stated, "We have designed a program so that people of other ethnicities can participate in addition to Asians." She also stated, "We focused on providing a venue for festivals where people of all races and cultures can get along."

In addition to performances, there were opportunities to promote Korean culture, such as playing Jegichagi, a traditional Korean game, practicing calligraphy, and taking photos while wearing hanbok (traditional Korean dress).

Photo: Books related to Lunar New Year on sale at the event

Attorney Jeffrey Chang, who is in charge of external cooperation with Montclair AAPI, stated, "In the past, Americans referred to the Lunar New Year as the Chinese New Year. The majority of people now refer to the holiday by its official name of "Lunar New Year" as they are aware that it is celebrated not only in China but also in the majority of East Asian countries, including Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore. He added, "In the future, we must ensure that such cultural awareness spreads throughout the United States.”

Photo: Taekwondo demonstration

Compared to other states, New York and New Jersey are renowned for their racial and cultural diversity.

As an observer, Director Kevin Kang of the Minkwon Center of New Jersey stated, "I want the center to begin participating in this event beginning next year in order to promote Korean culture.” The Minkwon Center is widely recognized as a leader in promoting Korean culture beyond the mainstream, such as the traditional game jisinbapgi.