Happy New Year!
January 01, 2008
It’s that time when we wish each other all the best for the coming year, having just reflected on the year past and what it meant to us.For some people in our community it’s not quite New Year’s yet, and for others that New Year is still months away.
All my married life I have celebrated at least two New Year’s Days. My family celebrated January first, according to the standard international (Gregorian) calendar. My wife’s family, being of Ukrainian background, celebrates Christmas and New Year’s according to the older Julian calendar, which runs 14 days behind the Gregorian.
As a Member of Parliament it has been my privilege to celebrate many other New Years Days with the different communities that make up the Canadian mosaic.
The Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities use a lunar calendar which has been in use for a little more than 4,000 years. The Chinese will be celebrating their New Year February 7, the first day of the year of the Rat. (All Chinese years have an animal associated with them according to a 12 year cycle. Last year was the year of the Pig, next year will be the year of the Ox.)
Other countries and cultures celebrate their New Year at different times. For Cambodians it’s usually in mid-April. For Muslims the New Year falls on the first day of the month of Muharram, which this year is January 10. Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, which this year starts September 29.
Whatever date you choose to celebrate, my best wishes to you this New Year. As always, if there is any way I or my staff can assist you, please call 780-495-3261, or send an e-mail to goldrp1@parl.gc.ca