On February 21, Bridgewater Commons came alive with the colors, sounds, and traditions of the Year of the Horse Lunar New Year Celebration, hosted by the Center for Cultural & Creative Exchange (CCCE). Families, friends, and neighbors from diverse backgrounds filled the atrium, creating a joyful atmosphere that reflected the true spirit of the holiday. The record-breaking attendance was a powerful reminder that culture has the ability to bring people together and strengthen our communities.

Senary Leaf Foundation (SLF) was honored to partner with Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML) at Princeton Chinese Language School (PCLS) by sponsoring two interactive cultural booths that invited visitors to experience Taiwanese traditions firsthand. Children and adults alike enjoyed paper-cutting activities and personalized Chinese character stamps, discovering that culture is best learned not only through observation, but through participation.

The celebration featured a vibrant lineup of performances, including dragon dance, lion dance, diabolo demonstrations, cultural dances, and the beloved Taiwanese traditional wedding performance, The Mountain Bride is Getting Married (內山姑娘要出嫁). Complete with Taiwanese opera elements and a lively matchmaker, the performance delighted audiences while introducing them to the beauty and humor of Taiwanese customs. The power of storytelling truly moved all those in attendance.

Seeing community leaders, mayors, other elected officials gather with long-time residents and young families reminded us that culture isn't a static museum piece. Culture thrives and evolves when it is honored and shared. At SLF, we believe cultural understanding strengthens our sense of self and builds bridges across communities.

Many thanks to CCCE, TCML@PCLS, our performers, volunteers, and guests for making this Lunar New Year Celebration so memorable. Together, we created a special space to honor our heritage and connect with each other while having lots of fun!