Representative Lee's Remarks at Yat Sen School: Happy Lunar New Year 2019
Board Members of the Chinese Education Society of Fiji, members of the Yat-Sen Parents, Teachers and Friends Association, Head Teacher Mrs. Miliakere Varani, teachers and students:
Bula! Good Morning! Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快樂
I am truly humbled and honored to celebrate Chinese New Year with all of you here. This is my first visit to your esteemed school, but I had heard high praises from my predecessor, Ambassador Mr. Herman Chiu, colleagues (Mr. Philip Hu) and friends about this institution. As I stand here and look around, I realize what made Yat Sen Primary School special: it’s not just the multi-cultural learning environment; it’s not just the wide range of extra-curricular activities, nor the expectation for academic excellence and self-discipline. Rather, it is the love and support from teachers and parents that gave this school its reputation. I browsed school’s Facebook and found a message said “CHILDREN may forget what we TEACH them BUT won't forget how we TREAT them.” This is exactly the driving force that made Yat-Sen Primary School what it is today. With that in mind, I see here are hundreds of bright, confident, and promising young faces. You are all the future of Fiji,
Today we gather here to celebrate Chinese New Year, year of the Pig, the last Chinese Zodiac in the 12-year cycle according to the Lunar Calendar. It is said people who are born under year of the Pig will be blessed with honest, fortune and luck; and that will be most of you in Grade 6.
I remember when I was in primary school; Chines New Year is the most exciting holiday. Just imaging all the firecrackers I can play with, no homework to do but hangout with cousins and friends, eating favorite rice cake, and all the red envelop money from uncles, aunties, grandparents and parents. The celebration of this festival brought me joyful memories. Let me share with you how we celebrate Chines New Year in my home country, Taiwan , Republic of China.
Taiwan still preserves and celebrates all the best parts of traditional Chinese culture. At every town or city, we host festivities for the Lunar New year. It’s not only to demonstrate peoples’ happiness and joy, but also as a time to reflect traditional Chinese family values and what they are really about. One of which is to pay respects to our ancestors. I’m proud to be born and raised in this tradition and I am ever more than happy to share with you the rich history of this festival.
The lunar New Year celebration lasts for 15 days begins tonight until the 19th. Each day has its own meaning and corresponding events. For instance, on the New Year Eve, all family members will gather home from faraway for dinner to kick off the festival.(like Christmas Eve) Traditionally parents and grandparents will also prepare red-envelop money for children with blessing for a good new year.( so you never want to miss out) This dinner is not only about feasting and drinking, it brings us back to the family values; On the first day of New Year, we pay visit to our relatives and friends to wish them a good year to come; on the second day, married women visit their parents’ homes with the husbands and kids, signifying respect to the house wife’s family as per tradition. What do people do on the 3rd day? People do nothing but rest. (You can stay home and play games all day) People are not even allowed to clean the house. That’s because working on this day will bring bad luck. So take this time and relax with your family. On the 4th day, we welcome all the Gods; one of the traditional favorites is the God of fortune. That’s why many people let off firecrackers in order to attract the God’s attention for favors and good fortune on the fifth day. Stores also reopen so it’s the right day for you to spend your lucky money. Enjoy this festive season as it has been experienced for thousands of years. On the last day, this celebration will climax with the Festival of Lanterns, so prepare your lamps!
To commence tonight’s celebration, I have 3 red envelops here for those who can answer my questions in a mini quiz. (Head Teacher Varani, will you help me to call the first one who raises hand, Chairman Yuan, would you be the judge)
1. This is for Year 6. When is next cycle year of the pig? (hint: there are twelve zodiacs for each year) 2031
2. On which day, married women will visit their parents with husbands and children? The 2nd day
3. What is next year Zodiac (Animal sign): rat
In closing, I hope you all will find this custom interesting and fascinating. And bear this culture with pride—from this small school to the big future ahead of you. Last but not the least; wish all Yat-Sen Primary School’s members continued success, happiness and good health in this New Year!
Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you.
