The Northern California Hakka Association held its 2025 annual meeting and Lunar New Year celebration on February 22nd (last Saturday), where hundreds of Hakka compatriots gathered to enjoy authentic Hakka cuisine, extend blessings to the elderly, and spend a warm and festive Lunar New Year season together.
**Hakka Culture Highlights**
The fundamental characteristics of Hakka culture emphasize Confucian values, filial piety, the importance of education, and the cultivation of talents, making the Hakka people a significant force in society, fostering numerous talents.
The president of the Northern California Hakka Association, Lu Yuzhen, told Epoch Times that the association is committed to preserving Hakka culture, language, cuisine, and traditional festivals to create a sense of belonging for Hakka compatriots living in the United States. They actively engage the second and third generations in activities such as dance, skits, and various events to deepen the younger generation’s identification with Hakka culture.
**Diverse Cultural Activities**
Apart from the Lunar New Year annual meeting, this year’s association activities include Mother’s Day karaoke, art and cultural events (chess, checkers, mahjong, singing), summer barbecue, and an elderly appreciation day trip, providing opportunities for compatriots to gather and enjoy good times together.
Consul General of Taiwan in San Francisco Lai Mingqi and his wife Yun Wenzhen attended the event. Consul Lai expressed that participating in the gathering made him feel at home, and the authentic Hakka dishes reminded him of his mother’s cooking. He praised Hakka culture for its unique characteristics, delicious cuisine, as well as captivating dance and songs.
**Cultural Unity and Promotion**
Consul Lai highlighted the unity among Hakka people that ensures the successful completion of each event. The inclusive nature of Hakka culture allows harmonious coexistence with various ethnic groups, making it more accessible and appreciated by others, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
Director of Overseas Compatriot Education Center Zhuang Yashu emphasized that Hakka culture is an essential part of Taiwan’s diverse culture, often showcased through dance and cuisine, demonstrating its unique charm. The center actively supports the promotion of Hakka culture by providing funding, folklore artifacts, clothing, and assisting associations in showcasing their cultural characteristics in mainstream activities.
**Preservation and Engagement**
Zhuang gave examples, such as Hakka floral patterns representing Hakka culture. The sight of Hakka floral fabrics, Hakka rice wine, or other Hakka delicacies immediately invokes thoughts of Taiwanese Hakka culture. These cultural elements are excellent displays of Hakka heritage and uniqueness.
She hopes that the Northern California Hakka Association will attract more participation from compatriots, allowing the younger generation to gain a deeper understanding of Hakka culture through food, dance, and cultural activities, thereby passing on Hakka spirit and strengthening connections with the mainstream community.
**Delicious Hakka Delicacies**
The Hakka dishes served at the event were all handcrafted by the compatriots, featuring a diverse range of dishes such as Hakka rice wine, Hakka tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), Hakka braised pork, Hakka oil rice, dried bamboo shoots, and grilled rice cakes, allowing attendees to savor the authentic flavors of their homeland.
Former president Zhang Changchun personally prepared dried bamboo shoots the night before, while his sister Zhang Renhui was in charge of cooking the Hakka rice wine. Zhang expressed that Hakka cuisine, though simple, exudes a unique flavor profile, characterized by bold but not spicy tastes. Hakka rice wine, with its rich flavor due to a higher alcohol content, is particularly suitable for postpartum women, showcasing the distinctive features that Hakka people appreciate.
**Community Support and Tradition**
Zhang Changchun welcomes everyone to experience Hakka cuisine firsthand, expressing a desire to care for the elderly, support the vulnerable, and bring warmth and community spirit to the United States through such gatherings, fostering a sense of home.
Special red envelopes were distributed to elderly individuals over 90 years old during the event, accompanied by blessings, respect, and the passing on of filial piety, followed by introductions of new members from Guangdong, Meizhou, Beijing, Shandong, and other regions.
**Cultural Performances and Engaging Activities**
In addition to the sumptuous feast, the event featured Hakka songs, traditional skits, and interactive programs, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in Hakka culture within a joyful atmosphere. Raffle activities added even more fun and surprises to the occasion, enriching the festive spirit of the gathering.
In addition to the aforementioned individuals, various dignitaries and community leaders attended the event, showing their support for the Northern California Hakka Association and its ongoing efforts to promote and preserve Hakka culture. Established in 1981, the association has a history of 43 years in the Bay Area, with over four hundred members dedicated to promoting Hakka culture abroad.