The declaration of a new holiday is always popular, but the one recently announced by the United Nations is significant and long overdue.
A resolution passed by the UN General Assembly on December 22 established Lunar New Year as one of the organisation’s “floating” holidays. It is a welcome development.
In practical terms, this means UN staff can opt to take a break during the festivities and the body will try to avoid scheduling meetings at that time.
But it is also a recognition of Chinese and, more broadly, Asian culture, with the resolution noting the importance of the annual celebration.
The move follows a decade-long campaign by China’s mission and Chinese employees for the festival to be recognised. The United Nations noted that the absence of Lunar New Year from the holiday list had been a concern for Chinese staff. Other nations who celebrate the holiday backed the recognition.
A letter submitted in August, pushing for it, was signed by representatives of 12 countries, including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Among the floating holidays already on the UN list are Yom Kippur, Diwali and Orthodox Christmas. It is surprising it has taken this long for the organisation to acknowledge Lunar New Year, given that it is one of the world’s most widely celebrated festivals.
The move has been greeted with enthusiasm in China, with discussion attracting millions of views on social media site Weibo.
Dai Bing, charge d’affaires of China’s permanent mission to the UN, said the move would further exchanges between different cultures. As Dai noted, it is consistent with the UN’s values of diversity and inclusivity.
Lunar New Year in 2024 will begin on February 10 in China. The UN resolution, therefore, came just in time. There will be traditional festivities such as lion dances, the giving of lai see, fireworks and family gatherings.
The celebration is all about hope, peace, harmony and prosperity. These values are much needed around the world at a time of economic uncertainty and global tensions.
Lunar New Year is celebrated by an estimated 2 billion people globally. The passing of the resolution is a propitious development as we look forward to the Year of the Dragon.