Buenos Aires’ Chinatown is gearing up for a celebration of the Year of the Water Rabbit.
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 4721 falls on January 22 this year and will be celebrated all Saturday and Sunday.
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Celebrations in 2023
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.
There will be 50 food stands 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 the city begin to help organize the festival.
That year 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 Rabbit
This year marks 4721 on the Chinese calendar.
The lunar new year begins on January 22, 2023
The Chinese New Year 2023 will be represented by the Water Rabbit.
The water rabbit symbolizes peace, benevolence and renewed spirituality.
According to the Chinese horoscope, it can be an ideal year for increased movement, collaboration, fertility, peace and renewed hope.
People born in the year of the Water Rabbit have characteristics such as quick wit, adaptability, and good problem-solving skills.
Chinese New Year’s Celebrations Buenos Aires: 2023
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.
• Saturday & Sunday, January 21-22, 2023
12 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Plaza Parques Nacionales Argentinos, Bajo Belgrano
Buenos Aires
Online: Buenos Aires City Government Youtube Channel
• Belgrano
