Year of the Dog in Chinatown

Barriers along one of the streets of Chinatown, people with umbrellas to protect themselves from the rain, the color red everywhere along with flags of China and the United States, gave beginning to the closing parade of the celebrations for commemorate the Chinese New Year; the year of the dog.

Dancing dragons, confetti and music drew applause and photographs from the spectators, a display of colors and joy as the floats passed by.

It was a celebration of Chinese culture but also of multicultural life in NYC, where the Chinese community has found a home outside of their country and continue to celebrate their traditions.

The dog was characterized with origami, balloons until real dogs paraded to say goodbye to the old year and receive the new one.

They paraded different groups of the community: scouts, representative brands, policemen, firefighters, LGBTQ community, schools, all with the same spirit of welcoming the new year.

See it is a way to participate with them, to enter for a few hours in their lifestyle full of color, songs, dance and share the good luck that the new year will have.

Throughout the parade confetti was thrown everywhere, as part of the celebrations, making the attendees celebrate in that way.

As a Mexican who lives in another country, I know it can be difficult for our culture to follow where we are going, but it is nice to see that the Chinese community continues to celebrate and let us be part of their traditions.

Welcome the year of the dog!