On Thursday 12th February, we came together to celebrate Lunar New Year – an evening full of colour, culture and connection.
The celebration was championed by our Inclusion & Belonging (I&B) Committee, and marked a proud milestone for us. For the first time, team members outside the committee initiated and led the event exactly what I&B is here to encourage. At The Kite Factory, I&B isn’t just a framework; it’s about creating space where everyone feels confident sharing the traditions, stories and experiences that matter to them.
This was our second Lunar New Year takeover and our biggest yet. In keeping with tradition, the office was dressed in red – a symbol of prosperity, happiness and good fortune and the energy matched the colour.
Our hosts brought a rich mix of perspectives and personal stories:
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Rosie Li, Programmatic Executive, from Changsha, China
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Jerrica Zhang, Digital Account Executive, from Beijing, China
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Jasper Kernot, Senior Digital Account Executive, from Sydney, Australia
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Qianqin Xu, Digital Account Manager, from Jinhua, China
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Dvarkesh Uttamchandani, Senior Client Account Manager, from Hong Kong and a founding member of TKF’s Inclusion & Belonging Committee
The session began with an overview of the Lunar calendar and the legend of the Zodiac animals, before moving into an interactive deep dive into everyone’s own zodiac signs and personality traits – sparking plenty of lively debate and laughter across the room.
From there, the team explored the roots and traditions of Lunar New Year, including the Lion Dance, Lucky Money (Hong Bao / Lai See), the Lantern Festival, New Year greetings and the cultural significance of red. The office reflected those traditions beautifully, with decorations transforming the space for the evening.
What made the session truly special were the personal stories. Jasper shared what it’s like celebrating in Sydney, home to the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia. Qian walked us through her family’s celebrations from New Year’s Eve right through to the Lantern Festival on Day 15. Rosie spoke about family Mahjong and lottery traditions, while Jerrica shared how her family decorates their home and prepares the incredible dumplings her hometown is known for. Dvarkesh reflected on celebrating as a Hindu in Hong Kong, including his annual Peking Duck tradition with friends and family.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without food. The committee organised dumplings and lychee drinks for the team to enjoy – bringing the traditions to life in the most delicious way possible.
We closed the evening with a paper-cutting workshop, and the creativity on display did not disappoint. The room was full of conversation, concentration and some beautifully intricate designs.
It was a vibrant, thoughtful and joy-filled evening that brought the agency together once again. Huge thanks to our hosts for sharing their experiences so openly and making it such a memorable celebration.
Happy Lunar New Year from all of us at TKF.