Cerermony - Magny-le-Hongre celebrates the Lunar New Year with pomp and tradition

By Mulder, Magny-le-Hongre, Hôtel de Ville, 23 february 2025

On Sunday, February 23, 2025, the town hall of Magny-le-Hongre vibrated to the rhythm of the Lunar New Year celebrations, a festival rooted in Chinese tradition and honored thanks to the association Passerelle France-Asie. In front of a large audience, the festivities were marked by spectacular lion and dragon dances, symbols of prosperity and happiness for this new year under the sign of the Snake.

From 2pm, the square in front of the town hall was transformed into a living theater, where the bright colors of the traditional costumes and the captivating rhythm of the percussion immersed the spectators in a festive and enchanting atmosphere. The undulating dragon, carried by experienced dancers, roamed the square in a mesmerizing ballet, while the leaping lions, adorned with gold and red motifs, performed impressive acrobatic figures. Each movement of these mythological creatures is charged with meaning: warding off evil spirits, inviting fortune and marking a passage to a prosperous year.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a major celebration in many Asian countries and among Asian communities around the world. It is the first day of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, a date that varies each year between January 21 and February 19, according to the new moon cycle. This festival lasts for a fortnight and traditionally ends with the Lantern Festival, an explosion of lights and symbols of hope for the coming year.

The mass migration observed every year in China during this period, called Chunyun, illustrates the importance of the New Year in Asian culture. Millions of people travel across the country and around the world to be with their families, thus perpetuating a tradition that places family reunions and good wishes at the heart of the festivities. This sense of sharing and conviviality was palpable in Magny-le-Hongre, where young and old shared a moment of collective joy and wonder.

The Year of the Snake, which begins in 2025, carries deep significance in Chinese astrology. A symbol of intelligence, wisdom and transformation, the Snake invites reflection and adaptation. According to tradition, this year will be conducive to strategic changes and well-considered decision-making. Many participants took the opportunity to wish each other good fortune and share traditional greetings such as “Xīnnián kuàilè” (Happy New Year) or “Gōngxǐ fācái” (Congratulations, prosperity and wealth).

This event, carefully organized by the association Passerelle France-Asie, demonstrates the importance of cultural diversity and dialogue between traditions. By welcoming this emblematic celebration with such enthusiasm, Magny-le-Hongre is showing a willingness to be open to and recognize the festivals that punctuate the cultures of the world. By offering a festive and educational setting for this age-old tradition, the city strengthens the bonds between its inhabitants and invites everyone to open up to the richness of Asian customs.

The festivities ended to a round of applause, testifying to the success of this initiative. With its fascinating dances, cultural demonstrations and omnipresent spirit of sharing, the Lunar New Year in Magny-le-Hongre will remain a highlight of 2025. We can be sure that this tradition, now firmly rooted in the local landscape, will return even more magnificently in the years to come.

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Photos and video: Boris Colletier / Mulderville