One of the biggest global festive celebration takes place this week. The Chinese New Year happens on Tuesday, February 1.

Victor Chang, President of the Chinese Cultural Society of Saskatchewan says that the Chinese New Year is celebrated by over a quarter of the world’s population including many Chinese-Canadians.

Issues with the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented the Chinese Cultural Society of Saskatchewan from holding a large gathering over the past couple of years according to Chang.

They are many rituals and traditions that are connected to the Chinese New Year says Chang. He noted the meal on New Year’s Eve is very comparable to the meal that is enjoyed back by North Americans and Europeans at Christmas.

Dances are a very important piece of Chinese New Year tradition says Chang. He noted the two main dances that are celebrated are the Lion dance and the Dragon dance. With the Lion dance requiring two individuals to operate, while the 20 individuals are needed for the Dragon dance.

The Chinese New Year in 2022 will be celebrating the year of the Tiger. Chang says the tiger symbolizes power and courage. He is hopeful the power of the Tiger will be able to extinguish the pandemic sometime in the upcoming year.