An exclusive Interview with Joel Buno of Asia Institute-Crane House in Conjunction with AICH’s hosting its Lunar New Year Dinner & Auction-Year of the Snake this Saturday
by Gioia Patton/Arts Insider
WHEN: Saturday, 02/01, 5:30PM-10:00PM
WHERE: Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St., 40208
TICKETS: $298, and can be purchased by visiting www.bidpal.net/snake2025
Arts Insider: How far back in history is the celebration of Lunar New Year in Asian history?
AICH Executive Director, Joel Buno: Lunar New Year Began during the Ancient Chinese Dynasties as a way to measure time. Western cultures measured time through the solar calendar, but Ancient China is measured by the Lunar Calendar. So it is hard to pin point when it actually began being celebrated. However, in Asian cultures, it is also called the Spring Festival (or the beginning of Spring). It is not just one day, but a series of fifteen days after the first Lunar New Year Day, which in 2025 is Thursday, January 27th.
Arts Insider: Why is it important to Asian culture?
Buno: Gioia, this is the most important Holiday in many Asian countries. It is basically Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year all wrapped up into one. It is the time in Asian cultures when families visit one another and when citizens celebrate a year surviving the winter season.
Arts Insider: What did the original celebrations consist of?
Buno: Superstitious beliefs during the Lunar New Year are: Eat long noodles for a long life. Eat oranges as they are a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Eat Dumplings as they are the shape of old Chinese money. Light Firecrackers to ward off evil spirits. Of course many of these traditions vary from region to region.
Arts Insider: When did Lunar New Year begin to be celebrated in the United States?
Buno: With the arrival of Chinese (people) in the US during the 1890’s for cheap labor in the West Coast to build railroads is when it was first recorded that Lunar New Year Celebrations began.
Arts Insider: Which American city or cities did it first?
Buno: San Francisco is known to Celebrate the Lunar New Year the longest. But New York City typically has the biggest celebration in the US.
Arts Insider: Today, around the world, in what way is Lunar New Year celebrated?
Buno: Many countries celebrate the Lunar new Year with their own touches. Vietnam celebrates the same time as China (but their zodiac rabbit is replaced with the cat). Thailand celebrates New Year during April and it is known as Songkran – a time when everyone splashes water on each other as a sign of celebration and good luck. Korea (North and South) celebrate Seollal where people pay respect to elders and share rice cakes, dried fish and fruits.
The AICH 2025 Dinner & Auction will feature the tastes, sights, and sounds of the Lunar New Year (with a silent and a live auction). This year’s dinner will serve as a tribute to longtime AICH supporter Chef Peng. S. Looi. Chef Looi has become one of Louisville’s most celebrated chefs, bringing sophisticated Southeast Asian cuisine to two of the city’s favorite restaurants that he co-owned and served as executive chef-August Moon and Asiatique. Chef Looi will be celebrated by several local chefs including Vanessa Felix, Aileen Brua, Nokee Bucayu and Ming Pu, led by James Moran, with favorite dishes created to recognize his legacy in Louisville.
Guests will enjoy a five-course meal of elevated modern Asian cuisine and signature drinks, wine and Asian-inspired canapés. The evening also includes tea tasting as well as a signature snake-themed cocktail. Asian inspired fashion will also be on display (and is encouraged!)
Another highlight of the night is the local Asian entertainment which includes the River Lotus Lion Dancers and other Asian-themed entertainment.
Proceeds will benefit Asia Institute – Crane House educational initiatives, Teach in Asia Program, STARTALKMandarin Program, Asian Language Corner, art exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and other programs, which are open to the public.
#asiainstitutecranehouse #yearofthesnake #speedartmuseum