In recognition of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Fort Bend County Libraries will celebrate with a Chinese Lantern Festival on Sunday, February 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, in the lobby of George Memorial Library in Richmond.
Dancing lions from the Soaring Phoenix Dragon & Lion Dance Association will entertain visitors at 2:30 pm, following the welcome and introductions.
Crafts and activities celebrating the Year of the Pig are planned for families with children of all ages. Max Nguyen, a paper-crafting volunteer with the Chinese Community Center, will demonstrate the art of origami, which involves folding and twisting pieces of paper to create whimsical works of art.
Visitors may also join in playing Cai Deng Mi, or “Guessing the Lantern’s Riddle,” and win a prize if the answer is correct!
The celebration at the library will feature authentic red lanterns that were presented to Fort Bend County by representatives of Chancheng District, of Foshan City, China. The lanterns will hang in the lobby of the library for the day’s festivities.
In 2012, county and business leaders from Fort Bend County signed a Memorandum of Understanding with delegates from the City of Foshan, signifying an alignment between Fort Bend and Chancheng District on mutual economic, cultural and environmental issues. In November of 2012, representatives from the two entities signed a Friendship Agreement, which is in essence a contract stating that the two sides will work together to promote exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, sports, environmental protection, science, technology, education, medical research and culture, in an effort to promote mutual prosperity and development.
Foshan is a city in central Guangdong province, located in southern China, with a population of 7.2 million. Chancheng District was chosen for the Memorandum of Understanding because of the similarities it shares with Fort Bend County, including population growth, business growth, and a focus on education, medical, and cultural amenities.
The Chinese Lantern Festival marks the culmination of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. The festival is part of an ancient ceremony welcoming spring, and the lantern symbolizes the lengthening days of the season. It is also thought to ward off evil spirits.
The Chinese Lantern Festival activities are free and open to the public. For more information, call George Memorial Library at 281-342-4455 or the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.