Chester celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon on Saturday, February 10 with performances of traditional music, lions and dragon dancing, non-combustible firecrackers and cultural characters.
The God of Prosperity, The Emperor of Heaven and The Happy Buddha were in the Chester city centre in an event delivered by the Wah Lei Chinese Association and supported by Bank of America and Cheshire West and Chester Council, along with other local businesses including Marketing Projects, Sunflower Take away, Storyhouse and Panda Mami Restaurant.
Chinese New Year celebrations were marked at Chester Town Hall and at Storyhouse. Pictures: David Sejrup.
Mia Tan, chair and founder of the Wah Lei Chinese Association, said: “Celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival will include volunteer members who have been working for several months to produce the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival.
"This festival celebrates the commitment and hard work of all volunteers who have helped the group since 2009 delivering Mandarin language classes at the University of Chester campus.
Chinese New Year celebrations were marked at Chester Town Hall and at Storyhouse. Pictures: David Sejrup.
"Our volunteer tutors continued to teach online and provide community support especially through the pandemic. I’d like to thank all our volunteers who have made a difference in breaking down racial and cultural barriers in the community.
"We are delighted to work in partnership with Bank of America, Cheshire West and Chester Council and other sponsors to produce this festival event.”
Chinese New Year celebrations were marked at Chester Town Hall and at Storyhouse. Pictures: David Sejrup.
The Chinese New Year is the most important celebration in the Chinese zodiac calendar and follows a 12-year cycle. Chinese legend states that The Emperor of Heaven asked all the animals to meet him on New Year’s Day and named a year after each of the 12 animals that came.
The Wah Lei Chinese Association is also supported by Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race Equality Centre, the University of Chester and Chester Voluntary Action.
Chinese New Year celebrations were marked at Chester Town Hall and at Storyhouse. Pictures: David Sejrup.
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