![]() ![]() For instance, China and South Korea have engaged in numerous feuds over items claimed by both countries, such as kimchi, the iconic fermented vegetable dish, and the traditional hanbok dress. These tensions can be seen in other recent cultural conflicts, she said. “This reflects two issues: cultural identity conflicts among Asian nations, particularly between China and Korea in this case, (and the) current geopolitical environment,” she said.īesides the push for greater inclusivity, the adoption of “Lunar New Year” demonstrates the “ongoing efforts” by China’s neighbors to establish and promote their own independent cultural identities, she added. Kimchi's new Chinese name has become the epicenter of a cultural war. Jun Michael Park/The New York Times/Redux Much of the factory-made kimchi eaten in South Korea now comes from China. ![]() It had been reposted on Chinese social media, sparking a heated debate with related hashtags attracting hundreds of millions of views.Ī kimchi-making festival in Goesan, South Korea, on Nov. Maggie Ying Jiang, an associate professor at the University of Western Australia who studies cross-cultural communication and consumer nationalism, pointed to the British Museum’s tweet as the catalyst. ![]() This variety is largely why advocates of “Lunar New Year” have urged the transition away from “Chinese New Year.” And while the debate isn’t new – celebrities have been coming under fire for saying one or the other for years – it seems to have gained particular traction this year. How Asian Americans are keeping Lunar New Year traditions aliveĪnd while many of these regional celebrations have roots in the Chinese Spring Festival – for instance, Tết was widely popularized in Vietnam during the period it was under Chinese rule – they have since evolved to reflect each country’s cultures, beliefs and cuisines. Also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, at least 385 million Chinese people are expected to leave the major cities to visit their families in rural parts of the country to mark the Year of the Dog. In China celebrations begin Friday, starting one of the world's great migrations. WEEHAWKEN, NJ - FEBRUARY 14: People watch fireworks explode over the Hudson River against the backdrop of Manhattan marking Chinese New Year celebrations on Februin Weehawken, New Jersey. “Happy New Year!” it wrote, before repeating the greeting in Chinese. On January 22, the first day of the holiday, it shared a new post with the image of a Chinese painting. The British Museum subsequently deleted its tweet. “It’s called Chinese New Year,” one Twitter user replied. “Join us in celebrating Korean Lunar New Year with magical performances,” it wrote on Twitter on January 12.Ī barrage of angry tweets followed. In one notable instance, the British Museum shared details about a show by a traditional Korean music group. That has left many brands and public figures caught in the middle, trying to tiptoe their way through the holiday without being lambasted by either side – often unsuccessfully. However, the usage of “Lunar New Year” has proved equally controversial for critics in China, many of whom argue that the holiday has its roots in the Chinese lunisolar calendar and China’s historical influence on countries in the region. The Year of the Rabbit: An illustrated guide to Lunar New Year Marsh pointed to this in her apology, saying her original wording had been “inappropriate” given the holiday’s regional diversity.Ī number of organizations, including the Associated Press Stylebook used by many newsrooms, recommend using Lunar New Year instead of Chinese New Year. Her crime? The “Chinese” that preceded “New Year.”Ī longstanding debate over the usage of “Chinese New Year” versus “Lunar New Year” has reignited in recent weeks as people around the world celebrated the holiday, with brands and celebrities coming under fire for using either phrase.Īdvocates of “Lunar New Year” point out that the holiday is celebrated by various countries, each with their own specific rituals, foods, histories and nuances – which are flattened and erased by an erroneous reference to “Chinese New Year.” A profuse apology followed two days later, in which she promised to “try to be more careful” and acknowledged the “hurt” she had caused. Last week, K-pop singer Danielle Marsh asked her online fans what they were doing for Chinese New Year. ![]()
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