Is the atmosphere of Chinese Spring Festival fading?

By APD Writer Yang Siyao

The Chinese Spring Festival is coming soon. The Spring Festival, commonly known as Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important festival for Chinese people.

The Chinese people always spend several days preparing abundant food for family reunion dinner and buying sweets and fruits to entertain guests. During the holiday, they will visit relatives and friends with gifts. The festival will last till the 15th of the first lunar month.

With the development of economy and technology, the Spring Festival has undergone many changes. But many people complain that the festive atmosphere is fading.

Some say the attraction of Lunar New Year’s Eve dinner is not as strong as before because of improved living standards. In particular, people who live in Chinese coastal areas and urban cities become richer that they can enjoy big meals at ordinary times. They prefer to eat out instead of cooking at home on New Year’s Eve.

Family reunion dinner.

Some of Spring Festival customs have been changed. In the past, the Chinese people used to wear their new clothes in the holiday. Elders give younger generations “red envelope” – a monetary gift in red packets, delivering their best wishes.

Elders give younger generations “red envelope”.

But now, it is possible to distribute virtual red envelopes of money via smart phones. It's more convenient and funny, but at the same time, there is lack of the milk of human kindness.

People distribute virtual red envelopes via smart phones.

In the past, most of Chinese people are more inclined to gather together at home, watching the CCTV (China Central Television) New Year’s Gala on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Today, people are spoilt for choice. Many youngsters in China are transfixed by the glare of mobile phone screens and other electronic products. They are indulged in computer games and disdain to look up at the television programs.

2017 China Central Television New Year’s Gala.

Many Chinese youngsters are transfixed by the glare of mobile phone screens.

No matter how the Spring Festival customs change, the significance of the Spring Festival for the Chinese people remains unchanged. Their wishes for family reunion and happy life are also unchanged.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)