Ponderings: the Chinese Lunar New Year dawns a little under two weeks from now, on 29 January, signalling the beginning of the ‘Year of the Wood Snake’.

The celebrations will continue for 15 days all over the world until mid-February, as billions of people – especially in Asia – mark this special cultural occasion. Sri Lanka is certainly no exception when it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year, which receives significant attention here as well.

The festival is based on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, which takes into account the moon’s phases and the Earth’s orbit around the sun. It starts with the first new moon of January and ends with the next full moon in February.

This year’s animal, the snake, is associated with wisdom, intuition, and transformation, while the wood element signifies growth and renewal; the snake’s natural intellect is said to blend with the adaptability and growth-oriented nature of wood. 

If you’re somewhat superstitious like I am, you may have already searched for what this year means in relation to your birth year, as I have!

Traditions during this festival include filling red envelopes with money – known as lucky money – to be given to children and young adults by elders; eating dumplings, which is said to bring good wealth; honouring ancestors; a lantern festival on the 15th day of the lunar year; tossing the prosperity salad; lion and dragon dances, performed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year; and reunion dinners with family members.

Chef Lan Minglu

Plates: while the Chinese New Year is almost two weeks away, the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is kicking off its celebrations next week, hosting a celebration of Chinese cuisine and culture from 20-22 January.

The hotel’s ‘Chinese Food Festival’ is set to feature renowned chefs, traditional performances, and immersive culinary experiences.

The three-day festival will feature a curated selection of authentic Chinese dishes, highlighting regional flavours, and promises to be a culinary experience like no other, while the festival will also feature dynamic martial arts performances displaying Chinese skill, precision, and strength.

It goes without saying that the iconic lion dance performance will take centre stage, while the timeless art of the Chinese tea ceremony will also be showcased, with expert tea masters guiding guests through the delicate process.

The festival will also include a display of handicrafts, including exquisite porcelain and vibrant textiles.

The star attraction of the festival is the celebrity chef line-up, featuring world-renowned chefs who have elevated Chinese cuisine globally: Chef Lan Minglu, whose culinary mastery and innovative approach have earned him worldwide recognition; chef Yang Luming, renowned for his expertise in Sichuan cuisine and his remarkable contributions to Chinese gastronomy; and chef Chen Qi, whose reputation for preserving and innovating Sichuan cuisine has earned him widespread acclaim.

With a host of immersive culinary, traditional, and entertainment aspects and the impressive line-up of celebrity chefs, the ‘Chinese Food Festival’ at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is set to be memorable in more ways than one and I for one cannot wait to experience everything it has to offer.

Poems: to close, here’s a little poem I found online about the Chinese New Year:

First day of the new year–

the faces of people

are the faces of peonies

Here’s wishing everyone who celebrates a wonderful Chinese New Year!