Lunar New Year celebrated around the world
North Korea's sombre capital celebrates for the first time since the death of Kim Jong-il
The Associated Press
Posted: Jan 23, 2012 7:00 AM PT
Year of the dragon brings promise of change
PHOTOS | Lunar New Year
Millions of ethnic Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese across Asia are ringing in the new Year of the Dragon with fireworks, feasting and family reunions.
From Beijing to Bangkok and Seoul to Singapore, people hoping for good luck in the new year that began Monday are visiting temples and lighting incense, setting off firecrackers and watching street performances of lion and dragon dances.
For many, the Lunar New Year is the biggest family reunion of the year for which people endured hours of cramped travel on trains and buses to get home.
In ancient times the dragon was a symbol reserved for the Chinese emperor, and it is considered to be an extremely auspicious sign.
North Korea observes holiday but keeps paying respects to late leader
North Korean children jump rope in Pyongyang Monday as they mark the Lunar New Year. North Korean children jump rope in Pyongyang Monday as they mark the Lunar New Year. (Reuters) The Lunar New Year was also the first time the North Korean capital of Pyongyang — sombre since the death of Kim Jong-il — saw colour and celebration.
On Monday North Koreans bundled against the freezing cold first to pay respects again to late leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang's main plaza and then celebrated the Lunar New Year holiday with colorful flowers and children's games.
A massive portrait of Kim Jong Il, absent after the mourning period for his death last month, has been restored at the vast Kim Il Sung Square. People stood in line to bow and lay single red flowers — the late leader's namesake "kimjongilia" begonias — made of fabric.
The capital city that was barren and sombre for several weeks is filled with colour again: flower beds and planters bursting with blossoms and the red, white and blue national flag fluttering from signposts. Banners celebrating the year and posters marking the holiday called "Sol Myong Jol" here were pinned to buildings and walls.
North Korea's sombre capital celebrates for the first time since the death of Kim Jong-il
The Associated Press
Posted: Jan 23, 2012 7:00 AM PT
Year of the dragon brings promise of change
PHOTOS | Lunar New Year
Millions of ethnic Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese across Asia are ringing in the new Year of the Dragon with fireworks, feasting and family reunions.
From Beijing to Bangkok and Seoul to Singapore, people hoping for good luck in the new year that began Monday are visiting temples and lighting incense, setting off firecrackers and watching street performances of lion and dragon dances.
For many, the Lunar New Year is the biggest family reunion of the year for which people endured hours of cramped travel on trains and buses to get home.
In ancient times the dragon was a symbol reserved for the Chinese emperor, and it is considered to be an extremely auspicious sign.
North Korea observes holiday but keeps paying respects to late leader
North Korean children jump rope in Pyongyang Monday as they mark the Lunar New Year. North Korean children jump rope in Pyongyang Monday as they mark the Lunar New Year. (Reuters) The Lunar New Year was also the first time the North Korean capital of Pyongyang — sombre since the death of Kim Jong-il — saw colour and celebration.
On Monday North Koreans bundled against the freezing cold first to pay respects again to late leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang's main plaza and then celebrated the Lunar New Year holiday with colorful flowers and children's games.
A massive portrait of Kim Jong Il, absent after the mourning period for his death last month, has been restored at the vast Kim Il Sung Square. People stood in line to bow and lay single red flowers — the late leader's namesake "kimjongilia" begonias — made of fabric.
The capital city that was barren and sombre for several weeks is filled with colour again: flower beds and planters bursting with blossoms and the red, white and blue national flag fluttering from signposts. Banners celebrating the year and posters marking the holiday called "Sol Myong Jol" here were pinned to buildings and walls.

