Lunar New Year brings hope for UAE's Chinese residents

Red lanterns, family celebrations and traditional shows as Year of Tiger roars into action

Young children on song for Lunar New Year celebrations at the China pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Children aged 4 to 7 take part in vibrant festivities at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Year of the Tiger is being celebrated in style at the world's fair. Pawan Singh / The National

Young children saw in the Lunar New Year by celebrating Chinese culture at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dr Liu Yanhui, director of the Confucius Institute, taught young children to sing songs in Mandarin for the Expo 2020 Dubai performance. Pawan Singh / The National

Crowds enjoy the Lunar New Year show at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The Year of the Tiger has been met with optimism by Chinese residents hoping for brighter times after a challenging two years blighted by the pandemic. Pawan Singh / The National

From left, Liting Wang, Reem Hong, principal of Happy Mandarin Chinese Language School, and Dr Liu Yanhui with some of the young performers. Pawan Singh / The National

Dr Liu Yanhui with the young stars of the Lunar New Year show. Pawan Singh / The National

The Chen family, from left, Jeffrey 12, mother Daisy, Jasper, 22 months, Sabrina, 9, and father Leo celebrate the Lunar New Year at home in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sabrina Chen hangs up decorations to mark the start of the Lunar New Year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Chen family wish for recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in the new year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Jeffrey Chen, 12, hangs up decorations for the family celebrations. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Jeffrey and Sabrina admire the Chen family's decorations at their home in The Lakes, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Daisy Chen puts up decorations to mark the Lunar New Year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Chen family were celebrating the major date in the Chinese calendar together. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Daisy Chen puts the finishing touches to a colourful new year decoration. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE's Chinese community ushered in the Lunar New Year with family feasts and musical shows as they gave a nod to tradition while hoping for brighter times to come.

The Year of the Tiger was welcomed in style as hundreds gathered at Expo 2020 Dubai to marvel at an array of colourful cultural performances and dazzling costume displays.

Others stayed at home for quiet celebrations as they reflected on challenging times and contemplated what the future might hold.

The events brought cheer and offered hope to many Chinese residents unable to visit their home country for the past two years because of strict travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

After two years of suffering, I hope the tiger will eat up the virus

Li Dongxia,
Chinese resident in Dubai

The Lunar New year – which began on Tuesday – is one of the most important dates on the Chinese calendar.

It is also celebrated as the Spring Festival with festivities to usher in luck and prosperity.

Families observe traditions such as crafting short Chinese couplets that are placed on the front door, hanging sparkling lights across the house and leaving money for children in bright red envelopes.

New Year cheer

A group of pupils, aged four to seven, sing songs outside the Chinese Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to celebrate the New Year. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai resident Liu Yanhui and her staff at the Confucius Institute have been coaching a group of young children to sing songs in Mandarin.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to better understand Chinese culture,” she said while watching the children, aged four to seven, sing outside the Chinese pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dressed in gold and red outfits decorated with dragons and tigers, the children sang songs wishing people a happy new year.

“Starting the new year in harmony can bring people a year full of prosperity and happiness.

“This is meant to bring cheer, joy, happiness and excitement.”

Ms Yanhui has been in the UAE since 2015 and describes Dubai as home.

“When I came here, I could hardly have imagined that people can live happy lives with high standards in such harsh living conditions,” she said.

“The UAE welcomes people from other countries and allows all celebrations so we don’t feel we are outsiders but that we belong to Dubai.

“I really love this country – it is my second home.”

Time for family reunions

The Chen family, from left: Jeffrey, 12, mother Jiawei Chen, Jasper 22 months, Sabrina 9, and father Leo celebrate New Year at their Dubai home. Chris Whiteoak / The National

In Chinese homes across the country, mothers were busy cooking up meals of fish, rice and chicken dumplings to be served for their families.

For Jiawei Chen, the day is about spending time with her three children and husband.

Her Dubai home was decorated with lanterns and paper decorations to signify good luck.

“It is a time for reunion so families can talk about what happened in the past year and think of their wish for the new year,” said Ms Chen, known by her nickname Daisy, who has been living in the UAE for 15 years.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, relatives from China often spent the new year in Dubai. Like many other expatriates, her family did not made the journey owing to travel restrictions to stem the spread of the virus.

“I wish in the new year that coronavirus will go away and that everybody is healthy.”

Celebrating traditions

Chinese calligraphy artist Li Dongxia takes part in celebrations at the China pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Residents such as Li Dongxia celebrated with family and visited the Expo site to be part of events this week.

The calligraphy artist demonstrated the intricate and delicate art to visitors at the China pavilion.

“In the year of the tiger, I hope the worldwide suffering of human beings from the virus will stop,” said the long-time UAE resident – she has lived in the Emirates for the past 22 years

“I hope whenever we feel weak, we remember this image of a brave and strong tiger.

“After two years of suffering, I hope the tiger will eat up the virus.”

She organises an annual Spring Gala concert with song-and-dance shows by Chinese performers and people from other nationalities.

“These gatherings are important for overseas Chinese,” she said.

“This country has become the most important place in our lives but expats miss home and relatives in the motherland.

“So it feels like a special big family when we get to share thousands of years of Chinese culture with everyone and learn about their history.”

Living in the Emirates makes people compassionate and brings people together, she said.

“If everyone’s culture can be communicated like it is here, then the world can have more peace,” Ms Dongxia said.