Lunar New Year

With their mix of multiple cultures, I am constantly reminded of the disconnect I have with my ethnic Chinese and Taiwanese heritage — and I remember this every time I think about their decision to legally name me Emily.

The lion dances, fortune-telling and rabbit petting zoo in Davies Symphony Hall were all mere prologues to the San Francisco Symphony’s sweeping Lunar New Year festivities on the night of Feb. 5th.

Known as hong bao in Mandarin, lai see in Cantonese and ang bao in Hokkien, these red envelopes are a traditional gift given during special events. 

Nobody sends me flowers, but my parents wish me a happy Lunar New Year on Facetime and they order a boba drink from Doordash to my suite.

In addition to diversifying the symphony’s typical Western repertoire, the concert hall also captured a less sterile and proper sentiment. Such an achievement came to fruition because the program not only celebrated music but also culture and community.

What I had in mind may not have been the way my family celebrated, but what we did was enough for me. Lunar New Year celebrates togetherness.

We at the Clog believe that UC Berkeley students deserve to have some fun this year, so we’ve compiled a list of cool events and things you can do around campus or in the Bay Area.

Every year in November, as Halloween comes to an end, the debate over whether or not it is acceptable to begin preparing for and celebrating Christmas erupts yet again. This year, however, a date has established the date for when it’s finally acceptable to get hyped for the holiday season.