Hundreds Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Staten Island Museum

Yesterday, the Staten Island Museum welcomed over 200 guests to say goodbye to the year of the Monkey and hello to the year of the Rooster! Lunar New Year was celebrated with traditional games, food, and activities for the whole family.

In collaboration with the Korean School of Staten Island, enthusiastic guests enjoyed Tteokguk (rice cake soup) and Japchae (sticky noddles), tried on hanbok and learned how to saebae. Guests were lined up to have their names written in Korean calligraphy on Hanji (mulberry paper) and to taste Sikhye (a dessert drink) and Korean rice cookies.

The biggest draw of the day was the Chinese Lion Dance performed in the southern tradition by Xiaolin Martial Arts. Families gathered in the Museum's auditorium for the traditional dance, with beating drums, and clashing symbols.

The festival was supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

"The year of the rooster began with a sunny clang, an explosion of lettuce, a swirl of silk and the diverse community of Staten Island coming together - which is exactly what we had hoped for," said Diane Matyas, VP of Exhibition and Programs at the Staten Island Museum. She continued, "We are excited to be a catalyst for people to share culture and foster understand and wish prosperity in the New Year."

The Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor is located on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building A, Staten Island, NY 10301. Infinite Compassion: Avalokiteshvara in Asian Art, a collaborative exhibition with the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, introducing visitors to Buddhist art, culture and belief is currently on view.