SGI-USA Celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year

On February 15, 2009, SGI-USA members in Northern California, their families and friends rang in the Chinese Lunar New Year and spring at the SGI-USA San Francisco Culture Center, California. Over 200 attended the annual meeting.

With the beating of a Chinese drum, the Northern California Dragon/Lion Group performed several dances, captivating the audience. Elementary school students began with a small lion dance, greeting everyone as they circled the room. A bigger lion followed with especially energetic lion head movements.

East Bay Chinese Language Group members and friends then maneuvered a 70-foot dragon through the hall. San Francisco Region women followed with a traditional Chinese fan dance. The annual meeting previously centered around the Chinese New Year, but as other groups wanted to join in, the meeting's theme included a spring celebration open to all SGI members and friends.

During January and February, SGI-USA members in New York and Los Angeles also held Chinese New Year celebrations.

[Adapted from an article in the March 3, 2009 issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan and March 6, 2009 issue of the World Tribune, SGI-USA]