The Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 8.

In an interview with Yee Wah Sing, Chief executive officer of Marco Polo, he gave us an insight on the Year of  Fire Monkey and what it means to him.

What is your Chinese New Year wish?

I haven’t really thought about it but the priority will be happiness, health and good company.

What does Chinese New Year mean to you?

For Chinese people the main cultural activity is food, the whole Chinese ceremonies and tradition is centred around good food.

What are your goals for the Year of the Monkey?

My goal is to be more general and to slow down and let the angel of opportunity catch up.

What’s the most interesting thing about you and your

culture?

The uniqueness of the Chinese culture is that it is the oldest sustaining civilisation that is stretched over 5000 years and the most interesting thing about me is that I am Fiji born and bred but very fortunate to have married someone who was born in China so that has given me the opportunity to strengthen my links in China and am fortunate that my oldest daughter has migrated and is living in China now.

How did you celebrate the festival as a child?

Well living in Fiji in the bush it was pretty simple we were the only Chinese family in the district, we didn’t know much about the Chinese New Year except when my mother gave us wrapped packets of money (lucky money) and special food.

What traditions do you still keep, and how do you celebrate Chinese New Year today?

I don’t really celebrate it that much, I guess we try to be in the right frame of mind for that occasion which are happy thoughts and nothing special we still come to work there is no big celebration as such. Yes we still give our kids the wrapped packet of money and good food like I was as a child.

How will you be celebrating Chinese New Year?

The main thing is for the family to be together and share the food.

What animal zodiac sign were you born under, and do you think there are similarities between you and your animal sign?

I was born under the rooster but I don’t take that sign to seriously, I am not a great believer of the zodiac signs.

Edited by Cathrine Balenagaga

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