Between meetings and site visits, we managed to catch up with the China Desk Sales Managers, Bingbing Liang and Nina Pope. We sat down with the two Sales Managers, discussing their celebrations for Chinese New Year and delving into the significance of this tradition for them.
Thank you Bingbing and Nina for joining us, how are you planning on celebrating Chinese New Year? Will you be in London?
[Bingbing] Yes, I will be in London for this Chinese New Year.
As you may be aware, it is the Year of Dragon. So, I’ve bought some decorations with the dragon symbol on it such as couplets with the word dragon “龍”, paintings of dragon and other dragon ornaments.
I am planning to prepare traditional Chinese dishes and watch the CCTV New Year’s Gala with some friends.
[Nina] I will also be in London, my family will all get together and have hotpot for dinner.
Sounds delicious! Are there any challenges or unique aspects to celebrating Chinese New Year in a different cultural setting?
[Nina] CNY is a public holiday in China but celebrating it in the UK where it's not a public holiday means balancing work and commitments with the festive activities. There are also limited decorations and food ingredients here, however, we still enjoy celebrating with our close friends who are also abroad.
[Bingbing] CNY is the most important festival in Chinese culture. It is a time for all generations of families to spend time together. So, I would say the biggest challenge for me is being so far away and not being able to be with my family. China is also on a very different time zone so often when they are celebrating CNY, I am just starting my day of work.
We can imagine that must be hard, are there any special traditions that you and your family have during the celebrations?
[Nina] In the morning of Chinese New Year's Eve, we visit the temple to pay respects to our ancestors, followed by a sumptuous family dinner. The elders in the family distribute red envelopes, and in the evening, we all gather to watch the Spring Festival Gala.
This tradition encapsulates the essence of Chinese New Year, combining ancestral reverence, family bonding, and cultural entertainment. The temple visit is a solemn and respectful homage to ancestors, reflecting the deep-rooted Chinese value of filial piety.
The giving of red envelopes, or 'hongbao', filled with money, is a gesture of good luck and blessings from the older to the younger generations. This practice not only strengthens family bonds, but also ensures the transfer of fortune and good wishes.
In the evening, the Spring Festival Gala, a grand televised event featuring music, dance, comedy, and drama performances, is watched by millions. It's an integral part of the celebration, reflecting the richness of Chinese culture and the joyous spirit of the festival.
What would you describe the key essence or overarching lesson as from the CNY?
[Bingbing] The traditional Chinese New Year stems from 4000 years ago. The importance is rooted deep in Chinese history, and today it also remains the most important for every Chinese family. For me, it is all about family and appreciation.
As many families in China may be separated due to different reasons, such as, education, career, immigration etc., the CNY gives the opportunity for everyone to go back to home and stay with their families.
The celebration is also for wishing a good heath, wealth, happiness, and good luck for the coming year. It is a time to reflect and appreciate last year and prepare for a great year ahead.
Thank you both very much, we wish you a Happy Chinese New Year!
Following her travels to Hong Kong last year, we also caught up with our very own Associate Director, Munni Bains. Munni shared captivating insights into her trip, and provided a glimpse into her exciting expectations for the year ahead in 2024…
Thank you, Munni, for joining! I wondered if you could tell us more about your international trips and how you’re helping your clients best prepare for the Chinese New Year (CNY)?
Last year, I visited Hong Kong twice with the Knight Frank team. Whilst we’re well equipped to provide a seamless service regardless of location, the value of face-to-face interactions with our clients is immeasurable.
During these visits we conduct one-to-one meetings where we showcase the breadth of our services. You will often find us hosting seminars with Knight Frank, sharing comprehensive market updates and trends as well as attending and supporting developer events where they are introducing the latest projects to market.
We continue our commitment to provide support in any way possible, aligning our services with our clients’ needs. Whether that’s ensuring timely fulfilment of our interiors, or scheduling meetings to address any specific points of importance and finalise orders ahead of their celebrations.
This meticulous planning ensures they can enter the New Year with a fresh and prepared space, ready to embrace the positive fortunes ahead.
Looking ahead at 2024, the Year of the Dragon, tell us what you’re looking forward to…
We're thrilled to announce the launch of our Knight Frank Interiors service on the ground in Dubai adding a new dimension to our global offering.
Our footprint in London remains extensive, with involvement in many exceptional developments, including Chiswick Green, Verdean, Aspen, Kings Road Park, Capella at Kings Cross to name a few.
As the New Homes market continues to flourish, this presents a wealth of promising opportunities and projects that we look forward to sharing with you over the coming months.