New Year Celebration with Dragons and Drums: Cultural Activities at IS 230 School in Queens

It is the celebration of the Lunar New Year, on this occasion dedicated to the Dragon, a mythical animal of Chinese culture that represents courage, strength and kindness.

In the Asian country, as in different communities around the world, for example at the IS 230 school in Jackson Heights, Queens, the arrival of the new year was celebrated with drums and dragons made by hand by the students.

As part of their extracurricular activities, led by the Hispanic Family Service Coalition, the youth learned Mandarin words, including how to draw them.

Some shared why this cultural knowledge is important to them.

“In case in the future we want to travel to China or do business things or important things,†said Nayara Menjura, a sixth-grade student.

David Martínez, of Puerto Rican roots and who studied in China for seven years, was in charge of teaching them Spanish, English and Mandarin words in honor of the new year.

“For the year of the Dragon, it is important to take action. It is a very special time for their families and an opportunity for the children to share a little piece of Chinese culture,” said Martínez, special projects manager, Hispanic Family Services Coalition.

In Chinese tradition, playing drums and cymbals loudly is a way to ward off bad energy or bad luck.

“It is powerful, it is exciting, it is something that is very enjoyable and that you can also teach others,†said Catalina Duque.

“Everyone wanted to be part of the dragon, so that was it. Well, who is tall? Who is not tall? Afterwards looking for many parts. That’s why we created the lanterns, so that as many people as possible can walk and include them,” explained Alex Bustamante, Hispanic Family Service Coalition Art teacher.

For the coalition, funded by the City’s Departments of Youth and Community Development and Cultural Affairs, teaching cultural diversity gives children tools for healthy coexistence on their path to adulthood.

“There are children who come from all over the world and in order for them to be able to get along, they must understand the culture of all the children who are in the class,†said Denise Rosario, executive director and founder, Coalition of Service for the Hispanic Family. “With the arts, children have the opportunity to express themselves and there is no such thing as having to do it well or not do it well, because the arts are what one wants.”

The colorful activities allowed the children to connect with a culture very different from their own.

“It means a lot to support those who are the dragon or playing the drums, to show them respect,†said Daniel Inga.

“To me this represents that together we can do wonderful things,†said Matthew MejÃa.

For more information about the Hispanic Family Service Coalition, visit the website hispanicfamilyservices.ny.org

And for this weekend, let’s continue celebrating the year of the dragon.

2024-02-12 19:07:00
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