RALEIGH, N.C. — This Sunday is the Lunar New Year, a celebration marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. There are events happening throughout the Triangle, including a pop-up market in Durham with dozens of vendors on Saturday.

What You Need To Know

  • The Lunar New Year is a celebration marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar

  • The second annual Lunar New Year pop-up market was held in Durham on Saturday at The Fruit

  • Stephanie Alviani was one of 25 vendors at the market

Food is a special part of any celebration. For Stephanie Alviani and her family, the Lunar New Year is no different.

“There were years that we made, I don't know, how many dumplings? Thousands? No, maybe 600. I think was our top number 700 or 800. It was a lot of dumplings,” Stephanie Alviani said.

“So [the Lunar New Year] is on the lunar calendar and about the moon phases. So it’s the first new moon of the year. Typically, at the end of January or the beginning of February,” Nova Alviani, Stephanie Alviani’s son, said.

Stephanie Alviani’s parents are from Burma and Singapore.

“You know, when I grew up, I had a little bit more exposure to our Asian relatives and the language and things,” Stephanie Alviani said.

She grew up making traditional recipes with her family and is continuing that with her kids, Nova and Max.

“My hope is that the kids will feel connected to their heritage and they will enjoy making the fun things that we eat during this time of year and hopefully make them, you know, for generations to come,” Stephanie Alviani said.

Another way she’s honoring her roots is through a new hobby, making pottery, including ceramic fortune cookies. Her business is known as Fingers Crossed Ceramics.

“I think you make art from what you see around you and you try to incorporate what things that are important to you and things that speak to you and I thought that was kind of a good mix to try to incorporate into the pottery,” Stephanie Alviani said.

She was one of 25 vendors at the second annual Lunar New Year market in Durham.

“I think it's a great way for the community to get involved and learn more about the Asian culture and their celebration,” Stephanie Alviani said.

While the Lunar New Year may be a new holiday for some, it’s never too late to learn about traditions that are near and dear to other families.

“It's important to celebrate diverse heritage and be a part of and learn about other communities and see how different they are from you so that you can enjoy them and just embrace their culture,” Nova Alviani said.