When Justiniani and his children in Panama dress in lion dance costumes and participate in Lunar New Year celebrations; when Aman, in Argentina, competes with her team in a dragon boat race to wish good luck for the new year, or when videos by a Chinese blogger about Lunar New Year spark the curiosity of Brazilian netizens, who express their desire to share the festive joy, the atmosphere of the Chinese Lunar New Year crosses oceans and reaches Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), bringing China and Latin American countries closer together.

THE RED OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR

The atmosphere of the Lunar New Year has been gaining strength in many Latin American countries. Iconic monuments in Argentina and Cuba are lit up with “Chinese red.” Chile celebrates cultural fairs for the Spring Festival, and events in Brazil and Panama are crowded with people. The ubiquitous “Chinese red” has allowed Latin Americans to experience the joy, harmony, and warmth of the Chinese New Year.

In a Chinese language school in Brazil, the presence of “Chinese red” has been increasing: classrooms are decorated with paper cuttings, with Chinese characters for Fu (good fortune), red lanterns, and Chinese knots, while a dozen Brazilians from different professions carefully write couplets and Fu characters on red paper specially prepared for the occasion.

“Red decoration is essential for the Chinese New Year,” explains Wang Yili, a Chinese influencer with over a million followers on Brazilian social media and a teacher at the Oi China school.

Wang shares with her students the customs and cultural origins of the Lunar New Year. Recently, she took advantage of a trip to China to record a video showing traditions related to the red of the New Year, which received thousands of “likes” and comments.

Carolina Martins, one of Wang’s students, describes herself as a great admirer of Lunar New Year culture. Holding a good fortune character she made herself, she said excitedly, “I love everything related to China, especially the New Year. For me, the Spring Festival means family reunion, a new cycle. You are with your family, decorating the house in red, giving gifts to children.

“THE RISE OF CHINA’S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

On December 4, 2024, the Spring Festival, which encompasses the social practices of the Chinese people in celebrating the Lunar New Year, was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.However, even before this recognition, elements such as the lion dance, dragon boat races, and the art of paper cutting, all considered national intangible cultural heritage of China, had already become regular events during Chinese New Year celebrations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina, the sixth edition of the Dragon Boat Competition began after the traditional dragon eye-dotting ceremony.

About 300 participants rowed to the beat of the drums, enthusiastically competing to the finish line.Natasha Aman, a 34-year-old Argentine, has participated in this Lunar New Year activity for three consecutive years.

“The dragon boat is part of China’s tradition in the Chinese New Year and part of China’s national intangible cultural heritage. It is an ancient tradition. I love being able to participate, to learn the symbolism of each festival,” commented Aman.For her, the dragon boat race is not only excellent physical exercise but also promotes team spirit and allows her to make friends.

THE LINK BETWEEN CHINA AND LAC

The Lunar New Year, considered the most meaningful traditional Chinese festival with the highest participation, has been embraced by many Latin American countries, who have integrated it into their own cultures. This cultural exchange and fusion not only strengthen the ties between China and Latin America but also add a colorful touch to the region’s cultural diversity.In 2014, Suriname declared the Chinese New Year a national holiday. In 2016, 2022, and 2023, the state of Rio de Janeiro, the city of Recife, and the city of Foz de Iguazú in Brazil also included it as an official holiday.

In 2021, the Chinese New Year was recognized as a national holiday in Panama, making many Panamanian families eagerly anticipate this event every year.

Iván Justiniani, a 37-year-old Panamanian, regularly participates with his family in Chinese New Year celebrations, especially enjoying the lion dances.

His passion for this tradition led him to join a lion dance team with his two children, a team with over 50 years of history.For Justiniani, Chinese culture has a rich history and dynamic character.

“The lion is a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture. During the New Year, we feel the good wishes of the Chinese through the lion dance and other festive activities, which are now also part of Panamanian traditions,” he commented.With activities like lion and dragon dances, Chinese culture is gradually integrating into Panama, Justiniani explained, noting that his dance team includes both Panamanians and Chinese residents in the country, and, as a special feature, the group accepts children’s participation.

Justiniani is convinced that with children’s participation, these traditions will continue and develop, and the Chinese New Year will continue to be celebrated in Panama for generations to come.

EN ESTA NOTA: