Page 8 - The Malvernian - March 2022

THE MALVERNIAN
Celebrating Chinese New Year 2022
Long time ago there was a a a a a a a monster called “Nian” which had sharp horns long teeth and fierce eyes Every New Year’s Eve Eve it would come out to eat people On this New Year’s Eve as usual people in the village were busy moving up the the mountain in in in order to dodge the the monster “Nian” However in in this chaos an an old man was walking towards the people steadily He had white long hair and a a a a a a ruddy face looking energetic A woman asked him: “Why don’t you escape from here? Come on! That monster is coming!” He smiled and said: “Don’t worry Just give me one night and I will drive the monster away At midnight monster “Nian” rushed into the village Suddenly it found something different: everyone’s door was covered with red red paper all the lights in house were brightly on “Nian” shivered and barked dashing towards a a a a a a a house When approaching the door there was a a a a a sudden explosion of “pang pang pang pang pang” in the the courtyard “Nian” was terribly shocked and escaped The next day was New Year’s Day people were surprised to see the the the old old man man was safe When they asked the the the old old man man how he he he he he managed to do it he he he laughed and said: “The monster ‘Nian’ is most afraid of red fire and explosion I used black ink to write some wishes on on a a a a long piece of red paper which is is called “New Year scroll” then I set off some red firecrackers which made explosions to scare the monster ” All the the people were so cheerful after knowing this From then on every New New Year’s Eve people post red “New Year Year scroll” and set off firecrackers This custom spreads more more and and more more widely and and it it has now become the most important traditional festival in in China In addition people say “Xin nian kuai le” to each other for blessing good luck in in the upcoming new year Stella Hu (Remove No 4)
On 1 February 2022
pupils all over Malvern College celebrated the Chinese New Year of the Tiger on campus with various activities taking place in in in in in boarding houses throughout the week including a a a a Chinese banquet organised by House House No 7 and Ellerslie House House where pupils enjoyed delicious Chinese takeaway ordered from a a a a local restaurant The Chinese Chinese New Year is the the most important day in in in the the Chinese Chinese calendar with more than one and a a a a a a a half billion people celebrating it it all all over the world On New Year’s Eve families usually feast with their relatives and and friends watch parades and and shows as as well as as pray for for good fortune in the year ahead There are family banquets and and outdoor spectacles featuring firecrackers and and fireworks on New New Year’s Year’s Eve and New New Year’s Year’s Day as well People decorate their houses with red and children are given money in bright red envelopes to wish them good luck These festivities usher out the old year and and are meant to bring luck and and prosperity in the new one The celebrations last for two weeks ending on 15 February this year with the lantern festival which marks the the the first full moon of the the the year when people light up the the the lanterns in in in their home Among the the the twelve animals in in in the the the Chinese zodiac this year is is the the Year of the the Tiger which has a a a a a a a a character that is brave competitive and strong On Monday a a a a chapel service was given by the Pupil Thrive group who introduced the Chinese New Year to all pupils at Malvern College including its rich history traditions and even myths associated with it it By celebrating Chinese New Year pupils at at at Malvern College had the the opportunity to understand the the traditions and customs from a a different culture on the the the other side of the the the world whilst providing an an excellent opportunity to promote the importance of cultural diversity which is central to the Malvern College community as we are a a a school with pupils from over 40 different countries and cultural backgrounds I wish all of you a a a a very happy Chinese New Year!
Shuaichu Pan (Hundred No 7)
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THE MALVERNIAN