Bangladeshis' experience of Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year celebrations spread across countries in the southern and northern hemispheres, including Australia and the Americas. How are Bangladeshis participating in this festival? This story tells the Bangladeshis' experience of Lunar New Year.

Avi Mandal celebrating Lunar Year with his family. Source: Avi Mandal

Lunar New Year is better known as Chinese New Year although this festival is celebrated in many Asian countries such as China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore and Tibet.

Bangladeshi student Umeching Marma Tithi celebrating Lunar New Year in Beijing. Credit: Umeching Marma Tithi

According to the new lunar year that started January 22, this year is considered the Year of the Rabbit. Umeching Marma Tithi from Beijing, China said about this year's New Year celebrations,

"Last two years New Year celebrations were muted due to Covid, but this year the festival is being celebrated with much grandeur."

Preparation of welcoming Lunar New Year in Beijing, 2023. Credit: Umeching Marma Tithi

Melbourne resident Abhi Mondal has been celebrating the Lunar New Year with his family for years. Abhi Mandal's wife is from China.

Jubaidul Jekab during celebration of Lunar New Year in China. Credit- Jubaidul Jekab

Melbourne resident Zubaidul Jacob was in China at the time of Lunar New Year festival. Recalling that time, he said,

“It is the biggest festival in China. At this time, china becomes as busy as Eid season in Bangladesh."

He further said, “Maybe we are people of different culture, our food habits are different. But our emotions, emotional expression and festive joy are all the same. We are all connected! We are all the same – we are human beings.”

Busy marketplace on the eve of new year in China. Credit: Jubaidul Jekab

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