The Evanston Public Library will host its second annual Chinese New Year celebration Feb. 6., featuring multilingual storytelling and a parade.

EPL announced Jan. 25 its plans to celebrate the Chinese New Year, which officially begins Feb. 8. The coming New Year will signify the end of the Year of the Goat and the beginning of the Year of the Monkey, two of the 12 animals that comprise the Chinese Zodiac.

In honor of the Year of the Monkey, attendees will be able to make Year of the Monkey-themed crafts, listen to the story of the Monkey King and march in a monkey-themed parade, EPL announced. The event will be held in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

The story of the Monkey King, famous in the cultures of many Asian countries, was originally written in the 16th century novel “Journey to the West” by Cheng’en Wu. EPL’s library assistant Martha Meyer will read the story in English, and Audrey Guo, a Chinese-born literary scholar and actress, will tell it in Mandarin, the library announced.

In addition to the crafts and storytelling, EPL announced it will also host the traditional Lion Dance parade, which is performed to commemorate the Chinese New Year.

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