Monroeville library celebrates diversity with Lunar New Year

The Monroeville Public Library is partnering with the Organization of Chinese Americans’ Pittsburgh Chapter to celebrate Lunar New Year and usher in the Year of the Dragon on Feb. 10.

Lunar New Year is an important and meaningful festival among in several East Asian countries, as it signifies the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon. The dragon is a symbol of power, strength and luck.

The Lunar New Year festivities will be held in the Children’s Department of the library and will include crafts, games, reading and other activities. All ages are welcome for this event, but Hopen Benson, head of Children’s Services and Outreach, noted that children age 10 and under will probably get the most enjoyment out of the activities.

“We are really looking forward to our Lunar New Year celebration, and for the Organization of Chinese Americans to share their culture with the community,” Benson said.

Founded in 1973, the Organization of Chinese Americans’ Pittsburgh Chapter focuses “on civil rights advocacy and education dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent,” said Rachel Sew, who serves as the group’s assistant instructor/choreographer.

“Unique to our chapter is that we have a cultural performance group whose objective is to educate and share Chinese dance and performing arts with the greater community,” Sew said. “We are happy to be partnering with Monroeville Public Library for their Lunar New Year event. This outreach for our group will be one of our first Lunar New Year performances of the season and will actually be our new beginner class’ first performance debut.”

Benson said an important objective of the children’s department is to celebrate diversity in the community with the staff regularly incorporating various cultural traditions and practices during story times. For example, the library also marks Holi, a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the arrival of spring.

“For the children’s department, we really try to address the cultural groups in the community and bring them together,” Benson said. “Having a better understanding of our neighbors is what leads to empathy and compassion.”

This free event begins at 10:30 a.m. at the library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. No preregistration is required.

“Just show up and have fun,” Benson said.