In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Godwin senior Victoria Li honors the holiday through dance, seamlessly blending China’s multifaceted history and culture with every performance.
The Lunar New Year dates back to the 14th century and centers around the lunisolar calendar, which follows the lunar and solar cycles to determine months and years.
Countries other than China observe the Lunar New Year, such as Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Each new year ushers in a new zodiac sign from the rotation of 12 animals, whose characteristics are bestowed upon the year they represent: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, symbolizing wisdom, intelligence, and intuition
Lunar New Year invites good fortune by warding off bad luck and welcoming prosperity for the new year.
Key traditions include cleaning the household in an effort to drive away spirits, decorating with red (a symbol of joy), and gathering for family reunions.
Li commemorated the new year through multicultural dances, performing at various Asian festivals, with the most prominent being ChinaFest, hosted by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA).
The day’s festivities not only featured musical performances, but also permanent art exhibitions, arts and crafts, and collaborative projects.
“The VMFA is known for bringing a voice to minority groups and marginalized individuals and promoting their stories to the greater Richmond area. This year marks their 10th year of hosting our dance troop, Yu Dance Arts, for the Lunar New Year and their 20th year of celebrating this event,” said Li.
Li’s dances encompass a wide range of Chinese dance styles, a highly diverse art form that reflects the complex and intricate fabric of China, woven by numerous ethnic groups.
The country is composed of around 56 ethnic groups and boasts more than 200 spoken dialects, contributing to the culture’s richness.
“There are so many diverse groups and cultures that live within China, and without dance, I never would’ve gotten the opportunity to learn more about these groups.”
Last year, Li’s dance performance focused on the Wa people, an ethnic group from northern Myanmar and southwestern China. She describes the dance as “wild and fierce.”
“Dance helps us also learn about the different powerful dynasties that used to rule China. Throughout different time periods, the costumes and styles also change,” Li added.
ChinaFest has become a significant cultural event held in the Richmond area, honoring the new year through dance and music.
Numerous artistic groups took the stage, showcasing either dance or music performances that highlight different facets of Chinese culture.
This year, Li’s dance was inspired by the renowned Chinese pipa piece, “Ambush from Ten Sides,” which portrays the historic battle between two powerful armies in 202 B.C.
Li explained, “Through sharp, expressive movements and dynamic rhythms, Ambush captures the intensity and grandeur of this historic clash.”
Each dance and piece of music carries its own unique significance and historical background, closely tied to Chinese culture, with the aim of preserving China’s rich fabric of history.
“Through ChinaFest, the VMFA gives many Asian groups and individuals the opportunity to embrace our culture and traditions with outside communities. Our group in particular gains a lot of publicity and support through ChinaFest, as we have built a support base of museum visitors who come back year after year to watch our performances,” said Li.
Despite the vast distance between Li and her family’s homeland, she continues to deeply cherish her heritage and values deeply, expressing her culture with pride.