Chinatown-International District connects hundreds to celebrate Lunar New Year

New and returning attendees flooded the streets of the Chinatown International District in
celebration of the 2023 Lunar New Year on February 4, seeking connection and support during an auspicious time of year.

Attendees visited food stalls, vendor booths, and watched multicultural performances as the community embraced both the Chinese and the Vietnamese zodiacs: the Year of the Water Rabbit and the Year of the Cat. The event showcased a wide array of Asian traditions and cultural practices.

“There is a lot of history and a lot of Lunar New Year traditions that people celebrate differently,” said Connie So, professor of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington. “But a lot of people are driven by memories of the past, memories of our ancestors, and karma.”

As the Seattle Lunar New Year event commenced, attendees reflected on their own Lunar New Year traditions and experiences.

“This celebration is a form of resilience,” said Michelle Jing Chan, a street vendor at the event. “Especially after the tragedies of what happened in Monterey Park, it has been nice to be with our large community and come together.”

Two shootings coinciding with Lunar New Year in Asian American communities in California shocked the country. On January 21, a gunman killed 11 people at the Star Ballroom Dance

Studio in Monterey Park, and two days later in Half Moon Bay, a different shooter killed seven people.

Growing up, Chan celebrated Lunar New Year every year with her family. And despite being one of the few Asian families in her hometown, this cultural holiday always represented togetherness and eating nourishing food.

“Being able to start off the new year with your family and the people that mean a lot to you is so important. Also recognizing all that you were able to accomplish in the past year and reflecting on it,” said Nicole Woon, who was helping Chan set up the tent.

By evaluating the prior year and setting positive intentions for the new year, Woon explained that it allows people to grow and have new beginnings.

For another tent vendor, this celebration meant reclaiming her culture.

After recently relocating from Utah, Marie Aoki, a tent vendor, moved to Seattle because she wanted to experience the diverse Asian cuisine options and cultural events that take place in Chinatown-International District. She wanted to live in an area that welcomed and celebrated diversity.

“I signed up for this event so that I could meet more of the locals,” said Aoki. “So far, everyone today has been so supportive of each other, including the other artists.”

Despite the rainy weather, Aoki said that many people still attended this event in high spirits. Her favorite part about the day involved trading art with other booth vendors and watching the lion dances along the street. 

“I grew up in an area that didn’t really have Asian diversity or big celebrations like this,” said Aoki. “It’s nice being a part of this celebration and feeling included.”

Throughout the day, lion dance performances took place at Hing Hay Park and on the streets of the Chinatown-International District.  

A lion costume consists of two people, and the dancers must work together to perform both acrobatic and animated movements that tell a story to the audience. The bright and colorful lions danced in sync with the drums, cymbals, and gongs.

“The drum represents the lion’s heartbeat,” said So. 

Spectator Cole Seavey’s favorite event involved watching the lion dancers perform.

“The lion dance chases away the evil spirits and brings good luck for the upcoming year,” said Seavey. “They’ve been dancing in front of the local shops here as well to bring good fortune to the businesses.”

The lion dance was one of several performances in Hing Hay Park that served to commemorate and conclude the Lunar New Year festivities, which initially began on January 22.

“Over 1.4 billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year,” said So. “It gives a real sense of empowerment that we’re all celebrating what other places around the world have celebrated for thousands of years.”

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Kiana Birge