At Guanxi would like to wish all our friends a “Xin Nian Kuai Le” (sing nee-ann koo-why ler), or Happy New Year and “Kung Hei Fat Choi” (kung-he fat choy) for a wealthy year!
The Chinese New Year festival marks the start of the New Year in the Chinese calendar, beginning on the second new moon after the winter solstice and ending on the full moon fifteen days later. It is marked worldwide by spending time with family and friends, extravagant meals, gifts (usually money wrapped in a red envelope called a Hong Bao) and fireworks. The hallmark of this festival is an abundance of red lanterns and extravagant parades.
Those born in the (including 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and now 2016) are said to be witty, intelligent and have a magnetic personality… However, monkey folk are also known for their mischievousness, curiosity and naughtiness!
Here’s how cities near you are celebrating.
Brighton
In Guanxi’s home city, the theme of this year’s Chinese New Year celebration in Brighton was “Happier and Healthier— A Better Future for All”. Chinese festival food stalls, lion dance, singing, traditional instruments and dragon dancing through the streets marked the celebration!
Birmingham
Celebrations this year took place in the Arcadian Centre with free entertainment for thousands of visitors being provided by the city, including lion dancing and fireworks!
Glasgow
Glasgow Museum Resource Centre will celebrate Chinese New Year with a riot of games, drumming, dragon building, lantern making and fortune telling sticks, in the midst of warm Scottish hospitality! The UK’s third largest city’s celebrations will be on the 14th of February.
Leeds
This year Leeds Town Hall is hosting the Chinese New Year Festival all through early February, and is boasting a veritable extravaganza to welcome in “the Year of the Monkey”. The occasion promises to deliver a much wider Chinese experience than at previous events, as in addition to the usual theatre performances of Dancing, Music, Chinese Lion Dance, Chinese Calligraphy, Kung Fu and Tai Chi, there will also be trade stands offering a variety of Chinese Food, Crafts, Beauty and Face Painting.
London
London’s Chinese New Year celebrations are the largest outside Asia. Chinese New Year festivities in Central London take place in Trafalgar Square, Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue on the 14 February.
Manchester
Manchester provided thousands of lanterns, a giant golden dragon and a 3D light show for 2016’s Chinese New Year. The events took place across the entire city from the 4th-7th of February and will also include the usual live music, lion dancers and Dragon Parade!
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