Monday, March 2, 2015
New Spring Festival Trends Reflect a Changing China
During the month of February, the country of China celebrates their annual spring festival. This particular festival lasts from February 18-25th and marks the most important dates of the Chinese Lunar calendar. Because of the cultural changes that inevitably occur as the years progress, customs at the festival also evolve in order to keep up with the technological advances. For example, one of the longest standing traditions of the spring festival is the distribution of red envelopes; each envelope is filled with a certain amount of money. Instead of giving out red envelopes in 2015, people were given a phone application to download and received their gifts electronically! I think it's great that the hosts of the festival are remaining current with technology, yet still honoring the original traditions.
http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-02/25/content_19651899.htm
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A country with so much culture around them is so awesome to hear about! No matter how much a countries are advancing, and many where cultures are lost or mixed with other, China keeps theres! In face it is not like they are not involving with the rest, I think the phone idea is such a great idea to do especially with all the technology that surrounds us today. It is very interesting to read about countries still continuing their life long traditions, and in fact adding more too it as years pass by!
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard to believe that traditions now include technology! It interesting to think ahead of what comes after smart phones and how culture helps shape technology and vice versa! In a way though it does make me sad to think that for years it was more of a personal connection when giving someone a red envelope and now it’s just gift that can be received through an app taking the social contact out of the tradition. I also think this will eventually impact that tradition of Chinese families coming from all parts of the world to spend time with their families during the New Year. Chinese families might just celebrate wherever they are living and communicate with their families through the internet or social media. received through an app. I wonder if this will eventually have an impact on Chinese families coming together for the New Year or just celebrating in their own homes and reaching out to their families through the internet and social media.
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