Traditional Chinese music, food and dances, karaoke, martial arts and other cultural activities once again will be part of the Indianapolis Chinese Community Center's (ICCCI) annual celebration Saturday at Carmel High School.

The ICCCI, which was formed in 1994, began holding a New Year celebration the following year with just more than 100 people, said Youyan Zhang, the organization's president. Since then the celebration has grown with more activities, games, performances and decor, and last year had about 1,500 attendees, he said. That many community members, or more, are expected again on Saturday.

Zhang, 47, moved to the United States from China 14 years ago and has been living in Carmel the past 10 years. Through an e-mail interview, Zhang discussed his experience with ICCCI and the cultural importance of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Question: What is the purpose of the ICCCI?

Answer: ICCCI started with a Chinese school by three families and four students in 1994. The initial motivation was to teach simplified Chinese characters to children of Chinese immigrants.

Now in addition to Chinese language teaching, ICCCI has expanded its role in sharing Chinese arts and culture to local communities through arts and cultural events and festivities, such as the Indianapolis Chinese Festival, Indy 500 Parade, International Festival, Indiana Festival, Carmel International Art Festival, etc.

These community outreach programs have provided people opportunities to learn and enjoy the richness of Chinese cultures and have helped mutual understanding of different cultures for a healthy multicultural landscape in Indiana.

Q: How important is the Chinese New Year celebration to Chinese people?

A: Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration to Chinese people. Chinese New Year starts with the new moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later, also called Lantern Festival. Preparation for the New Year celebration starts months earlier. The celebration is a time of reunion, thanksgiving and remembering family ancestors.

Q: Is there something new or special taking place this year at the festival?

A: A special thing taking place this year is the decoration of Chinese red lanterns in Carmel Arts and Design District. This is very significant because the traditional Chinese New Year celebration happens both inside and outside.

The lantern decoration in the Carmel Arts & Design District during Chinese New Year offers the local residents the opportunity to learn something new about the Chinese New Year celebration and Chinese culture. The red lanterns bring much warmth to Carmel during the cold winter.

Q: What can non-Chinese community members gain from going to this event?

A: They'll have the opportunity to enjoy the family-oriented atmosphere during the celebration. They will enjoy a variety of kids games, talent shows, and appreciate some traditional Chinese food. They will enjoy the stage performances featuring dragon and lion dance, traditional Chinese folk dances, Chinese martial arts, Chinese singing, Chinese music instruments and comedies. It is also a good opportunity for them to interact and communicate with Chinese fellows about anything they are interested in related to Chinese tradition and culture.