The first official observance of the Chinese/Lunar New Year was celebrated in Albany, N.Y. last Tuesday — and the Brooklyn Eagle had a ringside seat to the event and all of its festivities. 

This historic moment marks New York as the first state in the country to mandate statewide public school closures in observance of Chinese/Lunar New Year (Legislation A.7768/S.7573) — a significant milestone for the Asian American community. 

The impending forecast of snow could not keep the more than 200 attendees — and this reporter — from traveling to the city’s capital from Brooklyn and other surrounding areas and showing support for the New Year: the Year of the Dragon.  

The day kicked off with a luncheon, hosted by Assemblymember Lester Chang, 49th District (representing Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, and Dyker Heights), for more than 50 of his constituents, that took place in the Legislative Office Building (LOB). It was followed by an event sponsored by the New York Assembly Asian Pacific American Task Force (also in the LOB), where many political figures were in attendance, and several community members were honored. 

Notable guests at the Task Force event included Lieutenant Gov. Antonio Delgado; New York Assembly Asian Pacific American Task Force Co-Chairs Assemblymembers Grace Lee, 65th District (representing the Financial District, Battery Park City, the Lower East Side, and Chinatown), and Zohran Mamdani, 36th District (representing Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway, and Astoria Heights); State Sens. Iwen Chu and John Liu; and Assemblymembers Lester Chang, 49th District (representing Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Borough Park and Dyker Heights), and William Colton, 47th District (representing Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Midwood); and several other legislators. 

A performance was also provided by the Chinese Community Center of Albany, and the following community leaders were recognized: Commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services Jeanette Moy, honored by Sen. Iwen Chu; Chinese American Independent Practice Association, honored by Assemblymembers Ron Kim, 40th District (representing Whitestone, Flushing, College Point and Murray Hill), and Grace Lee, 65th District (representing the Financial District, Battery Park City, the Lower East Side, and Chinatown); Dr. Dely Po Go, honored by Assemblymember Steven Raga, 30th District (representing Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Jackson Heights, Astoria, and Middle Village); and Simon Chik, honored by Assemblyman William Colton, 47th District (representing Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Midwood).

“What makes the Lunar New Year Bill so special is that it brings people together,” Colton said. “It shows respect for each other’s holidays and traditions, and I believe it will ultimately result in all people beginning to understand each other better and becoming closer together. And that’s the best antidote to hate (referring to the severe rise in anti-Asian hate that has taken place since the pandemic).” 

Chang described the new law as “big news.”

“The population of Chinese in New York City is 900,000 — 1.2 million if you add in other Asian countries here — and that represents about 10 to 12 percent of New York City — 8.3 million,” Chang pointed out.  

“About 20 to 25 percent of the world celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year, so it’s really an important and significant time for Asian-Americans, and I am happy to be here celebrating with so many of my colleagues and constituents,” he said.  

Assemblymember Lee noted that while every year Chinese/Lunar New Year — the most widely celebrated holiday for Asian Americans — is acknowledged, “It’s really special this year,” she said, “as we have a record number of Asian legislators — and, of course, we were able to pass this historic legislation. So it’s a way of bringing us all together and sharing the culture and our heritage with the rest of New York State.”

“I am very happy to see so many local Asian-American families that came up to Albany today for such a special gathering,” Chu said, adding that for many of them, it was their first time here. “And they now hopefully have had the opportunity to see how senators and assemblymembers work for them.”  

Lieutenant Gov. Delgado, who is also the chair of the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit, launched by Gov/ Kathy Hochul in 2022 to address the rising tide of hate crimes in New York, spoke a bit about the beauty of diversity. 

“It’s important to understand that myself, the governor and this administration care deeply about inclusivity and equality and our diversity,” Delgado said. “What makes New York special is how diverse our community is.

“New York is home to more than 1.6 million Asian Americans, and this administration wants to ensure that their communities feel safe and supported.”

Delgado explained that he will continue to uplift and protect Asian Americans who call New York home, adding that he is also proud to make Chinese/Lunar New Year an official school holiday across New York.    

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a 15-day festival celebrated in China and other Asian countries that recognizes the start of the new year, similar to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in the United States.

Chinese/Lunar New Year celebrates the arrival of spring. As the most important holiday in China, it is a time of year for reuniting with loved ones. 

Each year, Chinese/Lunar New Year marks the transition between the zodiac signs, with each year said to bear the characteristics represented by its zodiac. Each animal represents one of the 12 stations or signs along the path of the sun through the cosmos.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, said to be confident, intelligent and enthusiastic.  

The Year of the Dragon last occurred in 2012.