Happy New Year!

Chinese New Year’s greeting

In most countries the new year has already begun on January 1, 2012. People in many Asian countries, however, will start in the new year 2012 at the end of January. According to the moon calendar it begins on January 23, 2012.

The Chinese New Year is mainly celebrated in East Asia, but additionally worldwide in areas with a great part of Chinese population, such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines or overseas.

The Chinese New Year is a family celebration. Similar to a Christian Christmas celebration the family comes together for a rich dinner on the eve of the New Year Celebration. The food traditionally consists of chicken and fish. The Chinese word meaning “fish” is homophonic with the word meaning “prosperity” (yú) and stands for success in the new year. 2012 is the year of the dragon, another symbol standing for honesty and prosperity – best conditions for the coming months!

Also a member of the INTERKULTUR family, namely INTERKULTUR China, will be celebrating. On this occasion there was a special review 2011 including the best wishes for the new year and the INTERKULTUR choral year: “Sing”, an audiovisual e-magazine (Chinese).
Also Günter Titsch, INTERKULTUR President, thanks his friends in China and wishes “a Happy New Year and all the best, health and good luck” and is looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.

In November 2012 China will be host of the 1st Xinghai Prize International Choir Championships. INTERKULTUR, based in Pohlheim, Germany is looking forward to choirs from all over to come to this new competition series in the South Chinese city of Guangzhou.