In keeping with the Lunar calendar, Lunar New Year, commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, is an annual 15-day celebration which typically begins on the first new moon of the year and lasts until the following full moon. This year celebrations began on January 22nd 2023.
Each year in the Lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 Chinese zodiac. The Lunar New Year marks the transition from one animal to the next with 2023 being the Year of the Rabbit.
Whilst Lunar New Year is now celebrated around the world, it remains one of the most important festivals in China as well as other East Asian countries including Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Mongolia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. Traditionally the festival began as a time to honour deities and ancestors, but more recently it has become a time to feast and visit family members. To observe this year’s festival, we’re celebrating our Chinese composers and the works that they’ve published with Schott Music.