This year is my year – I mean, the Year of the Dragon. I was born in 2000, also a year of the dragon. The Lunar New Year is celebrated in many countries, with each year represented by a zodiac animal – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, dog, and pig – in a 12-year cycle.
Since the Lunar Calendar is based on the moon’s movement, the night of the first full moon each year is a significant night as well as the first day of the year. This occurs 15 days after the Lunar New Year, with this year’s date falling on Feb. 24. From Lunar New Year to the day of the first full moon, various events and festivals are enjoyed in many Asian countries.
To be honest, I almost forgot about the holiday this year, since it’s not a major event day here like it is in Korea. I thought that many people wouldn’t know about the holiday or wouldn’t be interested even if they did. However, I was surprised to see a lot of festivals happening around me, in contrast to what I had in mind.
Different organizations and associations in San Diego have been hosting Lunar New Year festivals for the past couple of weeks, and there will be more fairs this weekend as the celebration period enters its last week.
I saw a small event with Asian-themed decorations and costumes taking place at the corner of Fashion Valley a few days ago. People were celebrating a holiday they weren’t familiar with, all within the same venue where Christmas events were held last winter. My friend, who went to the San Diego Tet Festival (a Vietnamese New Year festival) in Mira Mesa last weekend, recounted seeing many non-Asians participating. Some of my friends, who are far from Asians, are aware of the Lunar New Year and even know that 2024 is the year of the dragon. Each of these episodes came as a fresh shock to me.
At first, I simply believed that Americans enjoy festivals and love celebrating with their friends and families. The immense scale of events for every occasion such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Valentine’s Day always surprised me. I casually assumed that celebrating Lunar New Year is just another part of these festivities. I thought people would be more open to different cultures if they could enjoy them together. While this may be somewhat true, I came to realize the influence and size of the Asian community in the U.S. are even stronger than I had previously thought as I researched and took part in various festivals.
San Diego has numerous immigrant communities based on various nationalities and races. According to SanDiegoCounty.gov, “approximately 21.5% of the county’s population is immigrants,” and the Asian population has consistently exceeded 200,000 since 2012, according to Data Commons by Google.
• China – Rich history in San Diego since the late 19th century
The history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. traces back to the 1850s in San Francisco. They were the first Asians to establish a community in New Town, San Diego, engaging primarily in fishing and shipbuilding in the early days. Over time, many other Asians migrated to the same area, but the Gaslamp Quarter remained renowned as a small Chinatown in San Diego. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) was formed in the early 1880s and continues to act as a bridge connecting the Chinese community to American society. Annually, they organize various events such as the San Diego Lucky Lion Dancers y el San Diego Chinese New Year Fair. This year, the New Year Fair will be celebrated on Feb. 24 and 25 at Third Avenue and J Street.
• Vietnam – Little Saigon stretching along El Cajon Boulevard
In 2013, the Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District was designated in the City Heights neighborhood, spanning from El Cajon Blvd. & Highland Ave. to Euclid Ave. Vietnamese boat people fled their country at the end of the Vietnam War and began resettling in different cities and countries in 1975. A lot of people arrived in San Diego until the early 1990s, building their foundations. While Little Saigon is still in the developmental stages, the community is undertaking multiple programs to revitalize six blocks of the district. Additionally, the organization hosts the SD Lunar New Year Festival, Pho Eating Contest, San Diego Lantern Festival, and more each year.
• Korea – Establishing culture step by step on Convoy Street
The Korean-American community in San Diego, while not as sizable as the one in Los Angeles, still plays a significant role in influencing Korean culture in the city and fostering solidarity among its members. Although there isn’t a designated Koreatown, Convoy St. in Kearny Mesa is recognized as a small Korean District. Korean migration to the U.S. occurred in two significant waves: first in the 19th century for plantation businesses under Japanese instruction, and second after independence from Japan with the support of the U.S. government for students. Koreans began establishing their businesses from then, and have been influencing the U.S. community until now in many different cities. In San Diego, Convoy Street offers a variety of cultural experiences related to Korea, including dining and entertainment options.
• Japan – The power of a sister city
The Japanese began their journey in San Diego in the late 1880s, starting from the Gaslamp Quarter. Although they have a smaller community compared to the Chinese in the same region, they developed their businesses extensively. Vegetable farming, small enterprises, and tuna fishing were their major industries during the establishment period. Japanese-style dessert shops and ramen places continue to reflect their influence in the Downtown. The Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum in Balboa Park has served as one of the notable Japanese organizations since opening to the public in 1991, described on their website as an “expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama.”
Not only China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan, but also many other communities from Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Hong Kong, are actively pursuing various programs to create links between their cultures and San Diego. Regional holidays like the Lunar New Year present excellent opportunities for them to spread their ‘memes’ and ‘genes’ simultaneously. They can disseminate their memes by sharing customs and heritage, and propagate their genes by ensuring their continuity in the city where their ancestors strove with all their might to establish themselves. Furthermore, these efforts can fulfill excitement and inspiration for people eager to embark on new adventures.
Kyungmin Min is an international intern from Korea.
