Eden Prairie’s Asia Mall kicked off celebrations for the Lunar New Year on Saturday, drawing over 100 people for live music, performances and cultural activities. This year is the Year of the Snake, associated with wisdom and good fortune.
The Lunar New Year begins on Jan. 29 and is celebrated every year by several Asian communities in the Twin Cities, including Chinese and Vietnamese Minnesotans. Festivities are marked by lion dancing, red packets full of money and cultural foods to ring in the new year, based on the lunisolar calendar.
A Lunar New Year celebration attracts visitors at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. The celebration is being held for two days at Asia Mall and will have live performances, music, food, and cultural activities.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Chloe Liu shows Pu’er tea inside a dried kumquat peel while describing how it’s used in a Chinese Tea Ceremony during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Pu’er tea is a fermented tea from China containing antioxidants and can aid in weight loss, digestion, and stress relief.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Chuansheng Wan writes Chinese calligraphy on banners during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Wan is a Chinese calligraphy teacher at the Minnesota International Chinese School.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Chuansheng Wan writes Chinese calligraphy on banners during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Wan is a Chinese calligraphy teacher at the Minnesota International Chinese School.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Traditional Chinese calligraphy is seen on banners during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Words of luck, promoting health and happiness, granting well wishes, and blessings can be written on the banners, which can be hung in a family’s home or given as gifts.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Sunlight shines through a skylight onto a member of the Wattanak Dance Troupe's face while she performs a Cambodian folk dance called Robam Jun Por during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. In Cambodian culture, Robam Jun Por is performed at the opening of ceremonies, weddings, and formal occasions to greet and offer blessings and well wishes to the guests.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Emiliya Daoheuang, 14, right, performs a Cambodian folk dance called Robam Jun Por with the Wattanak Dance Troupe during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Chinese lanterns hang from the ceiling at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie on Saturday. The mall held a Lunar New Year celebration with live dance performances, music, and cultural activities.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Members of the Minhua Chorus perform during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. According to their website, “the Minhua Chorus is a non-profit arts organization whose goal is to maintain and enhance the cultural heritage and identify of the Chinese community in the Twin Cities.”
Tom Baker for MPR News
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off traditional outfits as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Eliana Daoheuang, 13, center, performs a Cambodian folk dance called Neary Chea Chour with the Wattanak Dance Troupe during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off traditional outfits as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Everly Vann, 12, right, performs a Cambodian folk dance called Neary Chea Chour with the Wattanak Dance Troupe during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall on Saturday. Neary Chea Chour is a traditional Khmer dance of young Cambodian women wearing colorful costumes, reminding the Khmer people of their rich culture through the generations.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Andrew Ma, 5, poses for a picture during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Coming to the celebration “Feels like home,” said Ma’s mother.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Members of the Minhua Chorus perform the song “Snowflake” during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A “lucky red envelope” containing money is handed out during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Members of the Minhua Chorus perform the song “Snowflake” during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Claire Xiong, 8, left, of Shoreview, Minn., receives a “lucky red envelope” containing money from Ken Lau, who is the director of the Minnesota chapter of U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association, during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case speaks during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off traditional outfits as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Children hold up banners with Chinese calligraphy during the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Performers from the Chinese American Association of Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater perform the Dragon Dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off outfits and costumes as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. One of the oldest traditions in China while celebrating the new year is giving children new clothing. In part, it symbolizes the idea of change, new beginnings, and getting rid of the old.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Performers from the Chinese American Association of Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater perform the Dragon Dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake, which is associated with themes of renewal, growth, and good fortune.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is a public radio network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, YourClassical MPR and The Current, MPR operates a 46-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest.
Last updated from