Lunar New Year - Ushering In The Year Of The Snake In Australia - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Abc Sydney

To usher in the year of the Snake, Andrea Ho (666 ABC Canberra) and David Hua (ABC Online) will once again co-host a special program on Sunday morning broadcast nationally on ABC Local Radio. They'll explore the hidden histories and quirky stories of contemporary Asian culture in Australian life. The two hour special will include chef Poh Ling Yeow (Poh's Kitchen), a performance by singer-songwriter Sophie Koh and Senator Penny Wong, on what Lunar New Year means to her.

In addition to the two hour special, ABC Extra will feature five days of curated content showcasing Asian culture in Australia, including programs on food, history and music. These new and original programs include:

Triple J presenter, Caroline Tran, talking about mixed relationships and how these are shaping Australian identity.

Food bloggers Jennifer Lam and Amy Ta find other bloggers from around the country to discuss gastronomic treats unique to different Asian communities at this time of the year.

From the ABC archives, a three-part special on the history of the Chinese in Australia, detailing the lives of those who came from China during the pre-federation years in hopes of striking it rich in the Gold Rush, as well as the experiences of Chinese-Australians who grew up under the White Australia policy.

For audiophiles, a range of music programs including features on Vietnamese music, the revival of an ancient form of Chinese Opera, and a selection of music by ABC Classic FM's Emma Ayres. Presenter David Hua will also be in the studio with renowned Cantopop singer, Francis Yip. They talk about the illustrious career of the late Taiwanese pop singer, Teresa Teng, playing some of her iconic tunes.

To listen to the program on 10 February, tune into your local ABC on Sunday morning, or stream through the ABC Radio app or online here :

To hear Lunar New Year on ABC Extra from 8 February, visit the ABC Digital Radio page :

The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant events in Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean culture. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month in the lunar calendar and ends on the 15th day.

For more information on the buzz surrounding the Lunar New Year, see the related links.