Chinese New Year celebrations in Birmingham
Birmingham’s Chinese community is preparing to welcome in the Year of the Monkey on Sunday, February 7, with an afternoon of celebrations aimed at the whole family.
Organised by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee in conjunction with Southside Business Improvement District (BID) and supported by Birmingham City Council, the event will include Chinese music, stalls, dance and performance.
Taking place at the Arcadian Centre, celebrations will run from 12pm to 6pm (stage opening at 12.30pm) beginning the traditional Lion Dance and firecrackers helping proceedings go off with a definite bang.
This will be followed by speeches, including a welcome speech from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and a stage programme until 5.30pm, when the event is rounded off with the traditional Dragon Dance and firecrackers.
Hurst Street will be closed to traffic between Inge Street and Bromsgrove Street from 5am to 10pm to incorporate stalls and children’s rides.
Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr Raymond Hassall said: “It gives me great pleasure to join Birmingham’s Chinese community in celebrating Chinese New Year and welcoming in the Year of the Monkey.
“Occasions such as this are part of what makes our city so great, so I hope that as many people as possible will join us for what promises to be a fantastic afternoon of free family entertainment.”
James Wong, chairman of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, said: “Chinese New Year is the biggest event in the Chinese calendar. Due to support from the local community and partners such as Southside and The Arcadian, the festival has grown year on year, positioning it as one of the top festivals in Birmingham’s extensive events calendar.
“As well as the traditional lion dancers, acrobats, singers and dancers, the 2016 festival will also see the introduction of a new street food market which will be serving up an array of Far Eastern delicacies, making it a truly family-friendly affair.”
Further information, including a full programme of events, is available at www.cnybirmingham.org.uk.
For media enquiries about this event, please contact Chris Brown at Barques PR on 0121 233 2080 or email chris@barquespr.co.uk.
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Notes to Editors
Over the past century the Year of the Monkey has fallen in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 and 2004.
People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be lively, flexible, quick-witted and versatile, with a love for sports. They are talented problem solvers, self-assured, sociable and innovative, with competent practical ability and are even willing to put their own business aside to help others. They also have a strong desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. However, they are also said to be jealous, suspicious, cunning and selfish and can have a tendency to look down on others.
Famous people born in the Year of the Monkey include Leonardo Da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Mick Jagger, Julius Caesar, Elizabeth Taylor and Daniel Craig.
