Celebrate Chinese New Year in London
This year, the 15-day Chinese New Year begins today, ushering in the Year of the Ox.
For Chinese communities, Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year. All Chinese festivals are determined by the lunar calendar which is why Chinese New Year varies from late January to mid February.
London is a great place to celebrate Chinese New Year. The celebrations for the Year of the Ox include traditional and contemporary Chinese entertainment in Trafalgar Square with performances from artists from Qinghai and Kunming provinces in China. Plus fireworks in Leicester Square, cultural stalls, food, decorations and lion dance displays in Chinatown and local performance stage in Shaftesbury Avenue. HaiBao, the mascot of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo will take part in the event.
The organisers are London Chinatown Chinese Association. See http://www.chinatownchinese.co.uk/ for further details.
Details are also included in the guide to the China in London season, which can be downloaded from the BBC website: www.bbc.co.uk/london/chinese_new_year/index.shtml.
The Year of the Ox
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Ox (or Buffalo) sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Those born under the influence of the Ox or Buffalo know that they will succeed through hard work and sustained efforts, and do not believe in get-rich-quick schemes. Good attributes to have in 2009!
