UNITED KINGDOM: Chinese New Year celebrations in London welcomes Year of the Rabbit

Record ID: 774950

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Chinese New Year celebrations in London welcomes Year of the Rabbit
  • Date: 7th February 2011
  • Summary: CROWD WATCHING, LITTLE GIRL COVERING HER EARS
  • Embargoed: 22nd February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVAANO2QEP94CYGP74O93IES5Q6D
  • Story Text: More than 300,000 people packed into London's Trafalgar Square and nearby Chinatown on Sunday (February 6) to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit.
    The Chinese New Year celebrations in London are the largest outside of Asia and the festivities are now a highlight of the British capital's event calendar. The London Chinatown Association (LCCA), which organises the annual New Year celebrations, says the event is a great opportunity to showcase Chinese culture and bring together the diverse Chinese population in London and worldwide, as LCCA Festival Director, Suzannah Kwok explained.
    "I mean the event started off as a small community event and now it's a major free public event, which is very colourful and attracts a lot of Londoners, British-born Chinese, mainland Chinese, a lot of tourists to London, which is great," she said.
    Twelve animals make up the traditional Chinese zodiac, with each year having its own peculiar and unique beliefs, some specific to certain provinces, such as being an auspicious time to give birth or open a new business.
    The rabbit, whose year began on February 3 and is marked by a week-long holiday in China, is believed to be one of the happiest signs, with people born in that year renowned for their kindness, reliability and loyalty.
    "The Year of the Rabbit represents peace, love and intelligence. The rabbit is quiet, it's a very peaceful and lovely animal; but when it reacts it can run very fast. So we hope that everybody, each one of us will love each other, work together, and look after each other. So the Year of the Rabbit should be good for everybody," said, Leslie Ng, Festival President of the LCCA.
    This year there was a contrast between traditional and contemporary acts with the main stage in Trafalgar Square hosting the official opening, followed by firecrackers, dance, music and acrobatics, including perfomances of the famous Chinese lion and dragon dancing. In contrast, nearby Shaftesbury Avenue, in the heart of London's theatreland, featured performances on the Hong Kong stage from British Chinese acts, ranging from hip-hop to break-dancing, and rock and pop.
    For many British Chinese, like Michael and Vivian who brought their two young children, New Year celebrations are especially important:
    "It's a good day to bring the children out and to celebrate," said Michael. "And know about the Chinese celebrations, about the Chinese culture as well," added his wife, Vivian.
    The event attracts thousands of Londoners and tourists, including 11-year-old schoolboy, Robin, who was attending his first Chinese New Year, which he first learned about in school.
    "It's the first time I've actually been to one of them so we decided that it was the weekend, we wanted to do something so we decided just to come here; have fun."
    While many visitors come for the iconic lion and dragon dancing, for young Chinese Britons who have grown-up in the UK, Sunday's festivities were an opportunity to show the modern, vibrant face of Chinese culture.
    "I think, for me, it's kind of modernising Chinese culture because we have thousands of years of culture but we've got to get with the times now, so contemporary is a good thing," said Elaine, who was born and raised in London.
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