JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.— Office of Administration Commissioner Ken Zellers and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Anna Hui hosted a celebration of the lunar new year at the Missouri state capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The celebration included a traditional lion dance by students from the St. Louis Chinese Language School and performances by Columbia Chinese School, St. Louis Modern Chinese School, and Chinese Culture Education and Services. Following the performances, the final pieces of a traditional Duì Lián, or couplet, were hung around the Governor’s Office doors, with Commissioner Zellers and Director Hui participating in a banner-hanging ceremony the night of the celebration.
The Lunar New Year, which according to Chinese history has been celebrated for over 4,000 years, is the most celebrated Asian cultural festival in the world. The first day of the 2024 Lunar New Year is Feb. 10, initiating the Year of the Dragon.
“The Lunar New Year is a special time for my family and me,” Director Hui said. “I appreciate the enthusiasm that state officials have shown in joining this heritage celebration in our state. With more than 160,000 Missourians identifying as being of Asian descent, it’s important to highlight and share the traditions and cultures of these communities.”
A video featuring cultural performances and interviews with community leaders will go live the week of February 12.
To view the video once it’s live and to learn more about Lunar New Year traditions in Missouri, visit https://labor.mo.gov/lunar-new-year.