According to the lunar calendar, this year’s Chinese New Year, which falls on February 10th according to the Gregorian calendar, was celebrated with the traditional cultural elements of China and Turkey together at the Istanbul and Ankara branches of the Turkish Chinese Cultural Association.

The day considered as the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year), calculated according to the 12-animal zodiac calendar, is celebrated between the first new moon and the full moon of each year.

Young ney master Ahmet Cemal and his kanun artist friend performed the famous Chinese Spring Festival song “Gong Xi Fa Cai.” The Turkish artists, celebrating the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon) with Turkish instruments ney and kanun, received great admiration.

Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year was celebrated at the Istanbul branch of the association by students learning Chinese with the traditional art of paper cutting, which is one of China’s centuries-old and most widespread traditional arts.

Although it is not known for certain when this art, widely used during China’s traditional ‘Spring Festival,’ began, according to one thesis, it traces its origins back to ancient religious ceremonies.

At the same time, students at the Ankara branch of the association, accompanied by Turkish and Chinese cuisine, wrote their New Year wishes in Chinese characters using calligraphy brushes.

President of the Turkish Chinese Cultural Association, İrfan Karslı, used the expression, “Happy Chinese Dragon New Year to China and Turkey and the whole world.”

“Entering the Year of the Dragon”

According to Chinese tradition, each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. While the year 2023 was the year of the rabbit, 2024 marks the beginning of the year of the dragon.

The Chinese Dragon New Year, which will begin on February 10, 2024, and end on January 28, 2025, is also known as a two-week festival celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

The dragon, which gives the name to this year, is generally seen as a symbol of prosperity, abundance, and goodness in both Turkish and Chinese beliefs, associated with strength, prosperity, and goodness.

The New Moon Year, celebrated in many Asian countries including China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam, is also known as the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival.