by Julia Pierrepont III
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The renowned Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles County, California, transformed its famed gardens and stately museum halls into a festive wonderland on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
With immersive experiences that blended art, nature, performance and culinary delights during the Spring Festival, this annual event has become a much-anticipated tradition at the Huntington Library, a tourist attraction in Southern California and a collections-based educational institution.
Thousands of families from diverse backgrounds flock to the Huntington each year on Chinese New Year weekend to honor cultural heritage, spend quality time together, celebrate renewal, and enjoy a spectacular lineup of family-friendly activities.
"We try to come every year if we can score the tickets!" Randi C of Orange County, who attended with a family of four, told Xinhua.
The festival is filled with symbolism: red decorations for good luck, dragon and lion dances to ward off evil spirits, and the sharing of sweet treats to usher in prosperity and harmony.
The weekend-long celebration at the Huntington goes beyond just a cultural showcase: it serves as an educational opportunity for attendees of all backgrounds to learn about the significance of the holiday and its customs.
"We are loving it!" Amada W from Ohio, who brought the family to enjoy the celebration at the Huntington together, told Xinhua.
Through hands-on activities, storytelling and performances, children and adults alike gained a deeper appreciation for the meanings behind the festivities.
One of the main highlights was the spectacular lion and dragon dance performances by Los Angeles Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association, held in the Chinese Garden's central courtyard. The thunderous beat of drums and the swirling colors of the dancers captivated crowds.
Beyond the lion and dragon dances, the festival featured an exciting array of live performances representing various Asian traditions, including skillful martial arts demonstrations by Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA and Wushu Tai Chi, Sword, Spear and Fan, with Taiko Drums from the Guo Jie Tai Chi Academy, and graceful dance performances from various Asian countries.
Classical music was played on traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng and erhu, and elegant dances were performed in vibrant silk costumes.
These performances were entertaining, but also educated attendees about the traditions and meanings behind the performances, such as the belief that they bring good fortune and drive away bad luck.
Interactive workshops were also plentiful at the Huntington. Children and parents participated in hands-on arts and crafts sessions, where they learned to make paper cuttings and lanterns, calligraphy brush paintings, and fold origami animals symbolic of the zodiac year -- the Year of the Horse, a symbol of power, strength and success.
These creative activities allowed families to work together while learning about symbolism and artistry within Asian cultures.
"This was a real treat for us," local resident Lucy W. told Xinhua. "It's beautiful and fun, and we learned a lot of cool new stuff."
Traditional Chinese opera musical performances by the Chinese Kwun Opera Society were also enjoyed, while an almost magically swift Mask-Changer (Bian Lian), Baofeng Liu, wowed his audience.
Another much-loved event is the storytelling hour. Professional storytellers and community elders share folktales and legends associated with the Chinese New Year, such as the story of the monster Nian or the origins of the 12 zodiac animals. These tales, often accompanied by music or puppetry, captivated young listeners and offered valuable lessons about courage, kindness, and the importance of family.
"Our kids love learning about new things and different cultures," Kent and Mary S, visiting from Oregon, told Xinhua. "This whole event is spectacular."
"It's super!" said their 8-year-old son, who usually only likes Spider-Man.
Cooking demonstrations were another family favorite, where chefs showcased how to prepare classic New Year's dishes such as dumplings, sweet rice cakes and longevity noodles.
Children were invited to help with simple steps, making it a fun and interactive way to discover new flavors and learn about the symbolism of each dish -- dumplings for wealth, noodles for long life and sweets for happiness. ■