happy new year! Chinese people of Bizkaia welcome the wooden dragon

In fact, preparations had started at least a week in advance, as there was a lot of work to do. “In my house, my parents were mainly in charge, because they decorated the house by singing spring songs, and we also did the cleaning,” says Jiaqi Lin from Fujian province with a smile. Both poetic creations and profound revelations are two typical rituals of these dates, which are at times linked to the symbolism of rebirth, of moving from the old to the new. “And, of course, you have to have red envelopes ready for the children,” says Taiwan’s Sue Chen, pointing to the inevitable tradition of giving money in envelopes of that color. Other traditional practices include wearing new clothes, filling a bowl with rice and placing seven coins inside, or depositing offerings for the kitchen deity, who watches over us throughout the year and knows well our domestic miseries.

This week, that god has even more work than usual, because in China, as everywhere else, food is the heart of the party. Last night was New Year’s Eve, otherwise known as a family reunion dinner. «Some traditional dishes are essential, as they symbolize good luck for the whole year, although they vary depending on the place: dumplings, fried rice pasta, fish… After dinner, money is distributed , and then the tradition of watching the famous Spring Festival ceremony together,” explains Jiaqi. Arguably, it is the most watched television program in the world. And today, the first day of the year, what is happening? “We visit other distant relatives as a family, and we also do video calls with people who are in China.”

Very slow

Each Chinese year is assigned one of the twelve animals of its traditional zodiac, which in turn are colored by the cycle of the five elements: thus, the previous year of the Dragon was 2012, but we have to go back to 1964 to find the second Dragon. I will have to go back. Of wood. Chinese astrology says that this combination represents strength and innovation. What do our teachers think? «The dragon has always been considered a benevolent creature that brings protection and luck. For me, this may mean that this year may be more prosperous,” Jiaqi’s analysis, while Su sounds more skeptical: ”I don’t think it is more relevant. A dragon is a dragon, it doesn’t matter whether it’s made of wood or gold,” he says, laughing.

What teachers share are the inescapable longings of the migrant. These days he misses the atmosphere of his homeland, but most of all, he misses his loved ones who are still there. “I remember a lot of my mother’s recipes, although whenever I went to help her in the kitchen, she would kick me out because she said I cooked too slow,” says Sue, whose Don’t have much time to cook here and prefer to resort to restaurants (Chinese of course) for family feasts. “We have reserved special dishes.” There is also no shortage of Chinese people from Biscay traveling to Madrid these days, since with a very large community there, a very extensive program of events is organized, with no shortage of floats or fireworks shows.

-By the way, did they also celebrate the Western New Year on January 1st?

-Of course – Jiaqi agrees -, I celebrated it with twelve grapes on New Year’s Eve, more or less following the traditions here.

“Me, with my husband’s family,” Sue adds. We ate lamb, croquettes, other fried foods, San Marcos cake…etc, etc.