Almost half of the world’s population does not receive the new year on January 1st, but on flexible dates that usually coincide with the end of January and the beginning of February. This Lunar Year has been celebrated for thousands of years, with this 2023 being the 4,271st edition.
As its name indicates, the date depends on the lunar phases, which is why it varies every year. Also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, it is celebrated in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Tibet, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In 2023, the festivities began on January 22nd and will continue until February 9th, when the celebration will be considered over with the Lantern Festival.
But festivities and traditional activities are not the only characteristics of the New Year in these Asian countries. In many cases, especially in China, there is a journey known as “chumyun”. It involves hundreds of millions of people returning to their place of origin to be reunited with their families. This tradition is even more important this year, as the pandemic has prevented these trips for the past three years. This return to relative normality is essential, not only for Chinese citizens but also for all those trading partners, who have also been affected by the Covid Zero policy followed by the Asian giant.
The crisis that began in 2020 has caused wine consumption in the country to fall by 5 million hectoliters in just two years. This Lunar New Year kicks off the recovery of a market for which it is expected to double its wine consumption by 2026. This gives even greater importance to the new year that is now beginning. Happy Lunar New Year to all!
