Jayanto Damanik Tan has lived in Sydney since late 1997 after fleeing the authoritarian regime in Indonesia at the time.
The Sumatran-Chinese descent admitted that his past life was oppressed, making him unable to express his true identity.
Through 'Lanterns and Tea', Jayanto said he wanted to share his family's Lunar new year tradition -- drinking tea together during the new year and making lanterns to be taken to the ancestral tombs as offerings.
Ashfield's community was in for a treat with traditional foods and tea while learning to make paper lanterns as part of Inner West Council's Lunar New Year 2025 celebrations. Credit: Supplied/Stine Baska
Lanterns making and tea drinking are Jayanto Tan's family traditions in celebrating Lunar new year. Credit: Supplied/Stine Baska
While related to lanterns, Jayanto said that the rainbow colours from these papers also held another important meaning to him.
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'Lanterns and Tea': Visual artist Jayanto Tan shares his family's lunar new year tradition
SBS Indonesian
10/02/202510:45
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