Chinese New Year
An explosion of colour and noise signalled the arrival of Chinese New Year in Soho. The colour was provided by the countless strings of lanterns criss-crossing the streets, the children waving paper dragons and myriad stalls and shops filled with toys, sweets and more lanterns. The noise of drums and cymbals indicated the presence of one of a number of large lions that were making their way through the streets stopping at each door to “eat” a lettuce that had been left hanging for them, scattering the leaves around as a symbol of a fresh start and the spreading of good luck. The main parade and celebrations take place next Sunday (21st) including a ceremony in Trafalgar Square and fireworks in Leicester Square.
Lovely pictures. I went to the event in Belfast, held in St George’s Market. I enjoyed the lion dance, the first time I have ever seen it. To me it seemed to be performed by young men from the Belfast Metropolitan College.
But then we had 8 women dancing with long, long individual feathers (not sure if they were real) on their headdresses. They were over a metre long. As the dancers twisted and moved their heads, the feathers made fantastic shapes, or gracefully drifted to one side or the other.
I like all the red there is at Chinese New Year, and ‘cheery and loud’ would describe the event in Belfast.
Kate
Lovely images, Alyn.
I love Chinese New Year – I’m a big fan and I’m glad it got a look in here. Funnily enough, it looks almost identical to the coloured paper festooned Singapore Chinatown – it’s peculiar (and endearing) that every Chinatown is so alike.