Buenos Aires’ Chinatown is gearing up for a celebration of the Year of the water Tiger.
Officially, Chinese New Year is celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice (summer solstice here in the Southern Hemisphere!).
The ringing in of the new year 4720 falls on February 1 this year.
Celebrations in 2022
Outdoor events in Belgrano include a colorful show in which artists of both Chinese origin and other communities participate.
The Chinese Dragon will offer its typical dance to the rhythm of the gong to augur good fortune for those present and for businesses in the area.
Consecutive to this parade, visitors are dazzled by the Lion Dance.
Other performances include advanced martial arts demonstrations, percussion performances, acrobatics and the obligatory tango demonstrations made up of Argentine and Asian-Argentine dancers.
Local stands and food trucks offering a wide variety of budget-friendly and delicious Asian street food.
Visitors can also see live calligraphy demonstrations and peruse the exotic plants for sale.
There are often Tai Chi classes given by Master Liu Ming, Pope Francis‘ former Chinese doctor.
The event can be viewed on the Buenos Aires city government’s youtube page linked below.
Chinese New Year Celebration through the Years
The number of attendees to Buenos Aires’ Chinese New Year celebrations has grown exponentially the last decade beginning with the 2011 festival — the year Buenos Aires decided Chinese culture was cool and a record 60,000 visitors overwhelmed organizers.
According to the Buenos Aires Human Rights and Cultural Department, there are 200,000 Chinese citizens in Argentina, mostly from the Fujian province.
Chinese citizens make up the fourth largest immigrant group in Argentina and have become part of the cultural fabric of the country.
One percent of Argentina is of Asian descent.
“A lot more Argentines are studying Chinese now to operate in the business world,” says Maria Antonía Diaz, secretary at the Chinese-Argentine Cultural Association, one of the groups organizing of the event.
“Others are drawn to this area because of the variety of businesses and an interest in the rich culture of China.”
To accommodate the growing crowds at Chinese New Year Celebrations, the principle stage for the final act is no longer in central Chinatown, or the nearby Plaza Barrancas de Belgrano, where it was originally relocated.
After also outgrowing that location, ending celebrations now take place some blocks away at Plaza Parques Nacionales (Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Sucre).
Year of the Water Tiger
This year marks 4720 on the Chinese calendar, the year of the metal Ox.
The lunar new year begins on February 1, 2022
The Chinese New Year 2022 will be represented by the Water tiger.
The water tiger symbolizes courage, strength and the exorcism of evil.
According to the Chinese horoscope, it can be an ideal year for daring ideas that lead to greatness.
People born in the year of the Water Tiger have characteristics such as courage, are high-energy and active and unafraid to take on challenges.
Chinese New Year’s Celebrations Buenos Aires: 2022
When: The date for the Chinese New Lunar Year changes every year. The city usually holds the festival on the closest weekend to the actual date of Chinese New Year
• Sunday, January 30, 2022
12 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Plaza Parques Nacionales Argentinos, Bajo Belgrano
Buenos Aires
Online: Buenos Aires City Government Youtube Channel
Those who miss the live events of Chinese New Year can still take a visit to Barrio Chino to dine in one of the many fine Asian restaurants or go Shopping in Barrio Chino
• Belgrano
