Chinese New Year: 25 January
In order to mark the Chinese New Year celebration in the city, the Chinese Association of Southampton, supported by Southampton City Council and the Waterside Dragon Dance Club arranged a series of activities in the city on Sunday 25th January.
2009 is the year of the Ox - It is thought that people born in the year of the Ox have characteristics which include being dependable, patient, methodical and calm, hardworking, materialistic as well as an ambitious character.
At the Civic Centre
Despite the wet weather, hundreds came along to the Civic Centre to see the official start at 11am with the Mayor of Southampton performing the traditional ceremony of ‘dim jing’. This involved dotting the eye of the dragon. It is a symbolic ritual to bring the dragon to life, the eyes of the dragon are painted which helps to ward off evil spirits and welcomes a year of prosperity. There was also a dragon dance and lion dance by the Waterside Lion Dance Club, Martial Art Displays, Chinese Music and Dance and Firecrackers.
Dragon Parade
At approximately 12.30pm the lion and dragon paraded through the City Centre to the Bargate where they stopped for a short demonstration. After the demonstration some of the parade continued along the route to the Grosvenor Casino.
Route
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Market
The market was situated at the Bargate between 10am to 4pm. It featured an array of stalls with Chinese food and delicacies; gifts; jewellery; arts and crafts and demonstrations of traditional Chinese paintings; Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting and much more.
Photographic Competition
Did you take some great pictures at this event?
If so you can enter our superb photo competition.
All you need to do is send us your best photograph of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Southampton for a chance to win dinner for four at the Dragon Palace Restaurant, one of the finest Chinese restaurants in the city.
Please send to events@southampton.gov.uk or send in the post to Event Management, Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LP
Terms and Conditons apply.
Sponsorship
If you're interested in sponsoring any element of this event in 2010 please email events@southampton.gov.uk
Take a look at the image gallery from last years event to see what you missed.
If you would like to contact someone about this page or get involved with this event, please send an email to events@southampton.gov.uk
