Year of the Ram ushered in at South Coast Plaza ceremony
South Coast Plaza officials rolled out the red carpet Thursday evening to welcome Consul-General ambassador Liu Jian and other notable officials to the retail center’s “Year of the Ram” private opening ceremony.
The center’s 11-day celebration of the Lunar New Year, which officially begins Feb. 19, was ushered in by a vibrant Asian community honoring its rich cultural traditions with gusto.
Invited guests gathered at South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court to marvel at a display depicting three rams in a hilltop setting intended to reflect the Chinese saying, “Three rams bring bliss, good fortune and happiness.”
The floral exhibit, surrounded by blossoming orange trees, was installed in front of the interior entrance of Macy’s department store earlier this week.
Invitees noshed on chicken lettuce wraps and garlic noodles while sipping a specialty drink called “Red Lotus,” a mix of vodka and blood oranges.
The event brought together students and professionals keeping Chinese arts alive with dance and music performances and multicultural displays. Performers dressed in silk kimonos walked on stilts and towered over the crowd, waving their giant fans.
Colorful lion and dragon dancers made their way onto the platform stage where South Coast Plaza executives, local officials and the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China watched the entertainment.
“We at South Coast Plaza are privileged and honored to have established a close relationship with the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles,” said Werner Escher, South Coast Plaza’s executive director of domestic and international markets. “It is our desire that all of our visitors to South Coast Plaza experience the New Year of the Ram.”
Attendees, including Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger, city Councilwoman Katrina Foley, and Anton Segerstrom and his wife Jennifer among others, listened as Robert Sun, chairman of American-Chinese CEO Society wished the crowd a happy New Year.
“The ram will bring happiness and a lot of luck to South Coast Plaza,” said Sun, who oversees the society that is made up of business leaders from the U.S. and China. “The U.S.-China relationship like the crowd here is reflecting more and more prosperity and friendship.”
Jian, the Chinese ambassador, said the special event was to remember the past and to look to the future
“Celebrating the New Year is the most important day in China as we pay our respects to our ancestors,” Jian told the crowd. “I want to say to South Coast Plaza, I feel less homesick being here.”
Guest Josephine Lim said she flew from Singapore to attend the evening ceremony.
“It is interesting to come and see what’s going on here to celebrate the new year,” Lim said.
The shopping center’s celebration will run through Feb. 22.
An exhibit titled “China’s Silk Road,” features photographs of the trade passage that played a role in bringing together Eastern and Western cultures and promoting commercial and trade contacts. The presentation, by the Xinhua Gallery and the China National Tourist Office in Los Angeles, can be viewed during regular hours.
Entertainment will be offered from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Feb. 21 and 22 at Jewel Court.
Children can participate in entertainment and crafts from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Carousel Court.
South Coast Plaza is at 3333 Bristol St. For more information, call (714) 435-8571 or visit southcoastplaza.com