從「華人節慶」走向「全市盛事」

一、從「華人節慶」走向「全市盛事」

農曆新年游園會從社區自辦，走進休斯敦市政府廣場（City Hall / Hermann Square），代表這個節日不再只是華人或亞裔的小圈子活動，而是整個城市共同慶祝的官方節日。

• 市政府廣場是城市政治與公民生活的象徵，把農曆新年放在這裡，就是在告訴大家：

亞裔的文化，就是休斯敦的文化；華人的新年，也是休斯敦的「城市新年」。

二、肯定亞裔社群對城市的歷史貢獻

大休斯敦地區亞裔人口已超過五十萬人，是增長最快的族群之一，華人更是當中重要的一支。

• 在經濟上，從早期小商家到今日醫療、科技、能源、金融，亞裔企業與專業人士為城市帶來投資、就業與稅收。

• 在社會上，亞裔積極參與慈善、教育、醫療與公共事務。

農曆新年在市政府廣場舉行，是市政府對這段歷史與貢獻的公開肯定與感謝。

三、反歧視、反仇恨的城市宣言

疫情期間，全美各地曾出現針對亞裔的偏見與仇恨事件。在這樣的歷史背景下，

• 市政府以官方活動的方式，邀請全城一起來過農曆年，就是一種最溫暖、最具象的「反仇恨宣言」。

• 市長、議員與各族裔市民同台，象徵城市堅決捍衛多元、反對歧視，讓亞裔長者、移民新住民覺得：

「我們不是局外人，我們是這個城市的主人之一。」

四、市中心活化與世界城市形象的提升

休斯敦正積極打造世界級城市品牌，而農曆新年本身已是全球性節慶：

• 將游園會放在市中心地標廣場，可帶動觀光人潮，結合周邊餐飲、商圈、博物館，形成「城市春節週」。

• 媒體畫面中，市府大樓、龍獅鼓樂、煙火與各族裔市民同歡，將成為國際報導與城市宣傳的最佳畫面。

這不僅是文化活動，更是城市行銷與軟實力外交。

五、下一代的身分認同與文化教育

對華人與亞裔的第二、三代來說，在市政府廣場過年，有著特別深的教育意義：

• 讓孩子明白：父母、祖父母帶來的語言與文化，不是「落伍」或「需要隱藏」的，而是能在城市舞台上驕傲展現的。

• 在龍獅舞、書法、剪紙、美食攤位中，孩子可以自然學習「我是美國人，也是華人／亞裔」，建立健康而自信的雙重認同。

六、族群之間的橋樑與對話平台

游園會在市政府廣場舉行，最重要的不是「我們自己人來」，而是各族裔一起來：

• 透過音樂、舞蹈、美食與互動攤位，讓不同背景的市民用最輕鬆的方式認識東方文化。

• 從「好吃、好玩、好看」開始，慢慢發展出更多商業合作、教育交流與社區互助。

這是用節慶搭起的一座跨族裔大橋。

七、為未來公共政策與政治參與鋪路

當亞裔文化活動成為市府廣場的年度重點之一，也意味著：

• 未來亞裔在教育、經濟發展、公共安全、移民政策等議題上，更有正當性與能見度，向政府發聲。

• 農曆新年成為更多亞裔參與選舉、登記投票、關心公共議題的入口活動，推動真正「有聲有票」的公民力量。

From a “Chinese Festival” to a “Citywide Celebration”

The Lunar New Year fair has moved from being a community-organized event into being held at Houston’s City Hall (Hermann Square). This signifies that the festival is no longer just a small-circle event for Chinese or Asian communities, but an official citywide celebration.

• The City Hall square is a symbol of the city’s political and civic life. Placing the Lunar New Year celebration there tells everyone: Asian culture is Houston’s culture; the Chinese New Year is also Houston’s “city New Year.”

2. Affirming the Historical Contributions of the Asian Community to the City

The greater Houston area now has over 500,000 Asian residents, making it one of the fastest-growing groups, with Chinese people as a significant part of that.

• Economically, from early small businesses to today’s medical, tech, energy, and financial sectors, Asian enterprises and professionals have brought investment, jobs, and tax revenue to the city.

• Socially, Asians have actively participated in charity, education, healthcare, and public affairs.

Holding the Lunar New Year at City Hall is a public recognition and gratitude from the city government for this history and contribution.

3. A City Declaration Against Discrimination and Hatred

During the pandemic, there were incidents of prejudice and hatred against Asians across the U.S. In this historical context:

• By hosting the Lunar New Year as an official event and inviting the entire city, the city government is making the warmest and most tangible “anti-hate declaration.”

• The mayor, council members, and citizens of all ethnicities standing together on stage symbolize the city’s firm commitment to diversity and opposition to discrimination, making Asian elders and new immigrants feel: “We are not outsiders; we are one of the owners of this city.”

4. Revitalizing Downtown and Enhancing the City’s Global Image

Houston is actively building a world-class city brand, and the Lunar New Year is already a global celebration:

• Hosting the fair at a downtown landmark square can attract tourists and link nearby dining, shopping areas, and museums into a “City Spring Festival Week.”

• Images of the city hall, dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and people of all backgrounds celebrating together will become the best international coverage and city promotion. This is not just a cultural event but also city marketing and soft-power diplomacy.

5. Identity and Cultural Education for the Next Generation

For the second and third generations of Chinese and Asian Americans, celebrating the New Year at City Hall has a particularly profound educational meaning:

• It shows children that the language and culture their parents and grandparents brought over are not “outdated” or something to hide, but something to proudly display on the city’s stage.

• Through dragon and lion dances, calligraphy, paper cutting, and food stalls, children can naturally learn “I am American and also Chinese/Asian,” building a healthy and confident dual identity.

6. A Bridge and Dialogue Platform Between Ethnic Groups

The most important aspect of holding the fair at City Hall is not just “our own people coming,” but people of all ethnicities joining in:

• Through music, dance, food, and interactive booths, citizens from different backgrounds can get to know Eastern culture in the most relaxed way.