Page 21 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (108)

SOUTHERN MESSENGERS 20

“My understanding of connections between Spring

Festival and Dashain”

“春节与德赛节——我的理解和认识”

By Birat Anupam □ 比拉特·阿努潘 / 文

Until 3 December 2024, Chinese New tions span 15 days, though official holidays
Year was primarily celebrated by Chinese typically cover only half that period.
communities in China and abroad. Howev- My understanding of these connections’
er, on 4 December 2024, the festival was stems from reading travelogues and articles
officially recognized by UNESCO as an by Nepali writers who have explored Chi-
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. nese culture. While I have not personally
This designation not only reaffirmed its experienced Chinese New Year in China,
significance as a traditional celebration for I have attended New Year-themed gather-
Chinese people worldwide but also elevated ings hosted by Chinese friends in Nepal. At
its status as a shared cultural treasure of hu- these events, I sampled traditional dishes
manity. such as hot pot, dumplings, fish, mush-
UNESCO, dedicated to fostering peace rooms, and rice cakes—a culinary journey
and cooperation through education, science, that deepened my appreciation for the festi-
and culture, emphasized the festival’s role val’s communal spirit.
in promoting cultural diversity and inter- In China, I participated in the Mid-Au-
generational dialogue. To date, China has tumn Festival, where family gatherings,
44 entries on UNESCO’s Intangible Cul- mooncakes, and a three-day holiday cre-
tural Heritage list, with Chinese New Year ated a warm, festive atmosphere. Notably,
being one of the most emblematic. every Chinese friend I celebrated with,
As a citizen of Nepal—China’s neigh- emphasized the unparalleled importance of
boring country—and someone who has Chinese New Year. A memorable moment
traveled extensively in China, I have seen occurred at Beijing Capital International
some Nepali parallels with Chinese New Airport—a Chinese friend en route to Sin-
Year, such as Nepal’s biggest festival gapore gifted mooncakes to me and my East
“Dashain”. Both festivals center around Timorese companions, remarking, “This
family reunions, bringing together rela- is our second most important festival. You
tives from distant locations. Mytholog- must also experience our Chinese New Year
ically, both traditions involve stories of someday.” This simple gesture underscored
defeating evil forces, and both prominent- the profound cultural value of New Year in
ly feature the color red as a symbol of luck China.
and prosperity. The UNESCO recognition on 4 De-
During the Chinese New Year, children cember 2024 marks a historic milestone,
receive red envelopes (hongbao) containing cementing Chinese New Year’s status as a
money, while in Dashain, red tika (a paste global heritage worthy of celebration. As
applied to the forehead), and monetary gifts someone who cherishes cultural exchange,
are customary. Additionally, both festivals I rejoice in this achievement and hope it in-
follow lunar or traditional calendars, re- spires deeper cross-cultural understanding.
sulting in varying dates on the Gregorian (The author Birat Anupam is a journalist
calendar each year. Culturally, both celebra- from Nepal.)