On January 28, the Seymour Center hosted a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, bringing together over 150 community members. Marking the Year of the Snake, the event was filled with dancing, music, and cultural exchange.
Venerable Master MiaoJou of Fo Guang Shan arrived in North Carolina, bringing blessings and setting a warm, festive tone. He delivered an inspiring message: “Keep going, the future is bright.” His compassionate words and the gifting of red envelopes symbolizing good fortune and respect created a heartwarming atmosphere, reflecting his deep care for older adults.
The stage then welcomed a diverse range of talents, showcasing the vibrant cultural tapestry of the community. Local residents showcased their Chinese language skills with fluency, while members of the Charlie Social Club, an English class for Chinese seniors, delivered heartfelt speeches on lifelong learning and community. The afternoon featured mesmerizing performances, including the elegant Flower Demon dance and dynamic solo and group pieces by the Simon Dance Troupe. The North Carolina Sunset Red Arts Troupe added to the festivities with a vibrant mix of dance, music, and duets. In addition to the various performances, the event offered many traditional Chinese snacks and a well-balanced lunch. Lucky audience members also had the opportunity to win prizes during the raffle!
The event’s most touching aspect was its intergenerational cooperation. UNC Chapel Hill student volunteers brought energy and enthusiasm, working alongside seniors like Uncle Niu, who helped with the setup, and Teacher Xiong, who contributed to the news release. Volunteers also filmed the event, capturing shared moments. After the performance, 87-year-old Grandma Zhang beamed, “Today was so much fun, I feel young again!” Students echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are very honored to contribute to the community!”
Janice Tyler, Director of the Orange County Department on Aging, said, "We are very grateful to the volunteers, performers, and sponsors for making this event a great success. Their support is crucial to our mission of serving the senior community and promoting cultural understanding."
The Lunar New Year celebration at the Seymour Senior Center perfectly showcased the strength of the community, the beauty of cultural exchange, and the enduring spirit of senior residents. Search the Orange County Department on Aging on YouTube.com to watch the celebration’s video, titled Lunar New Year Celebration 2025 - Orange County Department on Aging.
橙县老龄部门喜迎农历新年，多元文化盛宴精彩纷呈
北卡橙县-2025年2月3日 -教堂山西摩老年中心在1月28日隆重举办了农历新年庆祝活动，吸引了超过150位社区居民参与庆祝蛇年，活动充满了舞蹈、音乐和文化交流。
活动以庄严的仪式开始。北卡佛光山妙舟法师亲临现场，为大家送上了诚挚的新年祝福，并以“向前有路，光明在望”勉励大家勇于面对未来。法师的祝福不仅带来了温暖和希望，更为每位长者精心准备了红包，这不仅是传统习俗的延续，更是一种创新的表达方式。红包里装载的不仅是祝福，更是对长者的关爱与尊重。
接下来，舞台迎来了各种各样的才艺，展现了多元文化交融的魅力。 “鸿雁合唱团” 倾情献唱，展现了音乐无国界的魅力。本地居民流利地展示了中文学习成果，赢得了热烈掌声。这一传统活动不仅展现了中华文化的博大精深，也吸引了越来越多的美国人学习中文。此外， “查理社交俱乐部” 一个专门为中国老年人开设的英语班的成员们，用流利的英语发表了感言，展示了他们对终身学习和社区融合的热情。随后，西蒙舞蹈团带来了优雅的古典舞表演。北卡罗来纳夕阳红艺术团以独唱、二重唱、群舞、独舞和器乐演奏为活动增添了色彩。他们的精湛表演受到了观众的一致好评，热闹的抽奖活动将庆祝推向了高潮。
最令人感动的是，活动中洋溢着浓浓的跨代合作氛围。北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校的学生志愿者们，用他们的青春和活力为活动注入了新的能量。从牛叔叔一大早加入布置会场，到熊老师积极参与撰写新闻稿，再到其他志愿者们协助拍摄活动纪录片，志愿者们与社区长者们共同创造了美好的回忆。87岁的张奶奶在表演后激动地说：“今天太开心了，感觉自己又年轻了好多！”来自北卡罗来纳大学的同学表示：“能为社区做贡献，我感到非常荣幸。”这种跨代合作不仅丰富了活动的内容，也拉近了不同年龄段的人之间的距离。
橙县老龄化部门主任詹尼斯·泰勒（Janice Tyler）表示：“我们非常感谢志愿者、表演者和赞助商们，使这次活动取得了巨大的成功。他们的支持对我们服务老年社区和促进文化理解的使命至关重要。”
西摩老年中心的农历新年庆祝活动成为了展示社区活力和老年居民持久精神的有力见证。组织者强调了将所有年龄段和背景的人们聚集在一起分享文化庆典的欢乐的重要性。活动突显了中心致力于促进包容性和营造欢迎环境的承诺。