Author : Agatha Palupi, Nursery 1 Form Teacher.
Indonesia has the largest ethnic Chinese population in ASEAN, with an estimated 10 million people. The beauty of diversity enriches culture, arts, cuisine, and education. The Chinese language is one of the most important languages in the world and has gradually been introduced in Indonesia from preschool onwards. Therefore, many schools in Indonesia also celebrate Chinese New Year to mark the transition to the Lunar New Year.
Chinese New Year celebrations at school usually have several important objectives, including:
- Preserving Culture: Helping students understand and appreciate Chinese culture, including its traditions, values, and the stories behind the celebration.
- Education on History and Traditions: Providing insights into the history and meaning behind Chinese New Year, such as symbols of good fortune (e.g., the color red, angpao, and the lion dance) as well as customs observed during the celebration.
- Encouraging Creativity: Through artistic and cultural activities, such as drawing, making decorations, or performances, students can express their creativity while learning about Chinese New Year traditions.
- Promoting Joy and Togetherness: This celebration can also create a joyful and energetic atmosphere at school, strengthening the sense of unity among students and teachers.
This year marked the first time Inspirasi Schools celebrated Chinese New Year with the theme of the Dragon and Lion Dance. For a week, students were introduced to various cultural and artistic aspects of China, making this celebration both educational and enjoyable.
The celebration began on the first day with an introduction to traditional Chinese costumes, such as qipao and cheongsam. Many students enthusiastically modeled these beautiful traditional outfits. On the second day, the focus was on Chinese songs and traditional dance movements. Students enjoyed dancing along with their teachers and friends to the rhythm of Chinese music. On the third day, students were introduced to traditional Chinese cuisine, such as Peking Duck, Baozi (steamed buns), Kung Pao chicken, Longevity Noodles, and Nian Gao (sticky rice cake).
To enhance the festivities, parents were invited to participate. On the fourth day, parent representatives engaged in storytelling sessions in front of the students in class. The students were very enthusiastic about this activity.
With engaging activities such as art performances, competitions, and communal meals, the Chinese New Year celebration at school becomes both fun and educational.
Gong Xi Fa Cai, Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Happy Chinese New Year! May this year bring happiness and prosperity to everyone!
