Chinese lunar new year celebrations have kicked off across Brimbank to mark the year of the rooster.
Chinese New Year officially began on January 28, with Chinese Association of Victoria president Dr Ka Sing Chua highlighting the importance of this time for the Chinese community.
“This is the most significant celebration of the year for the Chinese community,” Dr Chua said.
“It is the most important time for family in China, where traditionally, no matter where you lived, you had to travel back to the family home to celebrate.
“In China, they get 10 days of public holidays … if only we got that here.”
Brimbank libraries will celebrate Chinese new year from January 30 to February 5. Library staff will distribute traditional red packets with chocolate gold coins to children at bilingual story-time sessions at Deer Park, St Albans and Sunshine. All libraries will be decorated with Chinese lanterns and symbols of the rooster.
“The red envelopes traditionally symbolise good luck, and also to encourage people to save for the year ahead,” Dr Chua said. “Every animal is a good animal in China, but the Rooster does symbolise taking action and accepting challenges, which is very important.”
