Page 23 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (108)

SOUTHERN MESSENGERS 22

“Chinese New Year in my eyes”

“我眼中的中国春节”

By Harish Chandra Shah □ 哈利仕·钱德拉·沙阿 / 文

My name is Harish, and I am a Nepalese only serves as an official recognition of the
doctor with a deep-seated dedication to tra- Chinese New Year's importance but also
ditional Chinese medicine. My connection underlines the crucial role that intangible
with the Chinese New Year can be traced cultural heritage plays in promoting sus-
back to the years between 1977 and 1984. tainable development.
During that time, I was studying for an Among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs,
undergraduate degree in traditional Chinese the snake symbolizes transformation, re-
medicine and a master’s degree in acu- birth, and development. It is closely linked
puncture at Beijing University of Chinese to wisdom, creativity, and auspicious for-
Medicine. tune. People born in the Year of the Snake
My studies and life in Beijing provid- are often characterized as enigmatic, intelli-
ed me with the chance to deeply immerse gent, shrewd, proficient in communication,
myself in the culture of the Chinese New resolute, and brimming with affection. To
Year. I traveled to other places with my greet the Year of the Snake, we have organ-
classmates twice to celebrate this festive ized a series of activities.
occasion. The celebrations were vibrant Nepal and China enjoy close cultural
and grand, as people who had worked exchanges, and some of their festivals bear
away from home returned to their families, remarkable similarities. In Nepal, there is
shared jiaozi, and enjoyed lavish New an ethnic group known as the Tamang, and
Year’s Eve dinners, while every household their major festival shares resemblances
set off firecrackers. The warmth and joy of with the Chinese New Year. Cultural ex-
those moments remain unforgettable to me changes serve as a bridge that enables the
for a lifetime. Since then, I have celebrated this most people about China and its rich culture. people of the two countries to gain a more
After returning to Nepal in 1984, I saw important traditional Chinese festival with The year 2025 is the Year of the Drag- profound understanding of one another.
that the Chinese community in Nepal, my Chinese friends every year. I have also on. This Chinese New Year holds great In conclusion, the Chinese New Year
including embassy personnel, Chinese written a large number of articles introduc- significance as, on December 4, 2024, the stands as one of the most significant tradi-
merchants, and entrepreneurs, were una- ing the friendly relations between Nepal Chinese New Year was inscribed on UNE- tional festivals in China. It embodies the
ble to return to China during the Chinese and China as well as China's development SCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Chinese civilization’s unwavering pursuit
New Year for various reasons, and I keenly in various fields such as the economy and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This not of peace and harmony. The advent of the
sensed their intense homesickness. As a re- culture. Among these articles, there are Chinese New Year not only ushers in the
sult, in 1986, I organized the Chinese New many introductions to Chinese traditional beginning of the Lunar New Year but also
Year Gala for the first time. I invited both festivals like the Chinese New Year. My indicates the end of winter, symbolizing
Nepalese and Chinese friends to take part. goal is to raise awareness among Nepalese people's longing and best wishes for a fresh
I even made a special arrangement for a life.
yuanxiao-eating segment. This gala was an (The author Harish Chandra Shah is the
overwhelming success, and major Nepalese Chairman of the Nepal-China Cultural and
newspapers covered the event. Educational Association.)