Subject
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Proclamation Declaring Lunar New Year 2024
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Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council read and approve the proclamation.
Discussion
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and
Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities. The Lunar
New Year usually takes place at the end of January or the beginning of February and is
predominantly celebrated by many Asian cultures. This year, the Lunar New Year occurs on
January 22, 2023, through February 5, 2023. The event marks the arrival of spring and is based
on the lunar calendar.
People celebrate the Lunar New Year by visiting their relatives, and temples, and attending festivals
where they let go of the troubles of the past year and hope for a better new year. Celebratory
features of the Lunar New Year can also be seen in the forms of dragon and lion dances,
firecrackers, pageantry, songs, games, food, and of course, the giving and spending of money.
The Spring Festival marks a new year on the lunar calendar and represents the desire for a new
life. Red is the main color for the festival, as red is believed to be an auspicious color. Red
lanterns hang in streets; red couplets are pasted on doors; banks and official buildings are
decorated with red New Year pictures depicting images of prosperity.
The Lantern Festival marks the conclusion of the Lunar New Year and will fall on Sunday,
February 5, 2023. There are many different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival,
however, its roots date back more than 2,000 years. The Lantern Festival is the first major feast
after the Lunar New Year. During the Lantern Festival, it is considered good luck to light and
release a sky lantern, as many believe that they symbolize the worries from the previous year
floating away.
2023 is the “Year of the Rabbit,” one of the zodiac animals, and represents people with many
talents. They are affectionate people, often excelling at forming close relationships. However,
they also appreciate tranquility and seek out peace.
Mayor and Council History
This is the fourth time this item has been brought before the Mayor and Council.
Public Notification and Engagement
• The City of Rockville 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration will take place from 10:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Wootton High School. Performances and
speeches will begin at 11:00 a.m.
• The Rockville Lantern Festival will be held at Rockville’s F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (603
Edmonton Drive, Rockville, MD 20851) on February 11, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Lantern Festival celebration will feature Dragon Dance, cultural performances, and
special fun activities and it is Free and Family Friendly. This family and kid-friendly event
is organized by the Rockville Sister Cities Corporation in partnership with WQER-LP 96.7
FM Radio (WQER.org), the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese
Culture Institute (CC-I.org).