Students in Manado Celebrate Lunar New Year 2577

RRI.CO.ID, Manado - Tridharma Manado School in North Sulawesi marked the 2026 Lunar New Year on Friday, February 13, 2026, with a vibrant celebration involving students from playgroup through senior high school.

Held at the historic Ban Hin Kiong Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Manado, the event served as both a cultural lesson and a reinforcement of the school’s commitment to diversity and togetherness.

The festivities transformed the temple courtyard into a stage for student talent, featuring energetic lion dance (Barongsai) performances, traditional dances, and Mandarin songs performed by various classes.

Peter Karl Bart Assa, Head of the Manado City Education and Culture Agency, attended the event, highlighting that Chinese culture is an inseparable thread in the social fabric of Manado. He emphasized that the local administration views cultural preservation as a primary responsibility.

“Events like this, especially under the auspices of the Tridharma Education Foundation, will strengthen and preserve the existing culture among the Chinese community,” Peter said during the celebration.

He further noted that the city continues to support human resource development by encouraging teachers to integrate cultural literacy into professional teaching standards.

For the school’s administration, the Lunar New Year celebration is more than just a party. It is a tool for character building.

Ester, the Principal of Tridharma Elementary School, explained that the program is meticulously designed to instill values of harmony and mutual respect from an early age. “In this event, there are Barongsai, song offerings from every class in Mandarin, and various dances performed,” Ester said.

Beyond the performances, she shared a message of unity for the school community. “In this Lunar New Year celebration, let us all maintain togetherness so that we remain harmonious, and our hope is that everyone stays healthy this year.”

By integrating these celebrations into the educational calendar, Tridharma Manado School aims to strengthen the bonds of tolerance among its students, ensuring that the next generation values the rich multicultural heritage that defines their city. ***

This article is adapted from an Indonesian-language report by Noni Octavia, edited by George Latuihamalo, published by RRI.