The Year of the Rabbit!

Dragons in London

By New Worker correspondent

Londoners gathered to watch the dancers and dragons in the Grand Parade celebrating the beginning of the Chinese New Year in the West End last weekend. The dragons wheeled around Chinatown and then went down to a stage in Trafalgar Square where thousands of visitors watched traditional and modern music and dance to usher in the Year of the Rabbit and thousands more took part in the hundred or so other events organised by the China National Tourist Office and the Chinese embassy up and down the country.
    The 2023 UK "Happy Chinese New Year" (HCNY) programme was launched at the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in London last week. Yang Xiaoguang, the chargé d'affaires, said the celebration is based on the "4H" concept, namely Hope, Home, Harmony, and Health. "I believe the HCNY events will present opportunities for China and the UK to enhance exchanges, expand cooperation, and promote new progress in bilateral relations,".
    Karen Garvey, engagement officer of events at Bristol City Council said the Chinese Lunar New Year has become the biggest event in Bristol's cultural calendar. "It brings thousands of people from different backgrounds together to have a joyful time amid the cold weather. This is something people really look forward to," Ms Garvey said, adding that Bristol’s Chinese New Year celebration was the biggest in the West Country.
    For nearly 20 years, it has attracted performers and visitors from Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Bath and Wales. This year, the mayor of Bristol and the high sheriff will also attend the celebration. "It's such a colourful, vibrant, positive event, and we couldn't imagine not having it," she said.

    Ruth Haines, the press relations manager at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, said that on the first day of the Chinese New Year, the UK premier of Tan Dun's Buddha Passion will debut at the Royal Festival Hall. The award-winning composer of the soundtrack for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has also drawn acclaim for Buddha Passion, which combines the ancient music of Dunhuang, Chinese folk songs and Western symphonic music, bringing to life the theme of the Silk Road and the spirit of cultural exchange and mutual learning.

    "We are very happy to collaborate with Chinese singers, musicians and artists," Ruth said, adding that it's very important to the Chinese community in London.
    Events in the capital included the exciting Festival of Spring parade, colourful performances and food tasting organised by the London Chinatown Chinese Association, along with activities and special programmes organised by the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory of Greenwich.
    Chinese New Year celebrations began on 22nd January and the first seven days are public holidays in People’s China. The celebrations end with the Lantern Festival on 5th February.