Happy New Year - Chinese New Year, that is! Welcome to 4715, the Year of the Fire Rooster.
Wrapped in tradition, superstition, colour and conviviality, the Chinese New Year begins on the 28th of January and runs until the February 12th.
This is the 10th year of the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival, with an elaborate list of activities planned covering family events, fitness, food, visual arts, comedy, music and panel discussions.
Aimée van Wylick has worked as the Creative Producer on the DCNY festival for the past three years. “In comparison to other festivals, this one is quite complex," she says, "in terms of dealing with different cultures and communication. We work with different cultural, educational and business groups, as well as the Chinese Embassy to develop the event.”
Each year, the Festival programme draws inspiration from the traditional Lunar Feast menu, appropriate to the element and calendar animal. “It is a very unique and unusual way to plan a festival.” Aimée says. “The fire rooster is a bit of a show-off, likes being healthy and has sporty characteristics. We developed quirky elements to this year's festival to reflect these characteristics.”
A colourful and family friendly event, this year's festival celebrates Chinese year 4715. “It is a really important time to all Chinese. It is like Christmas is for [us]," says Aimée. “Different areas of China celebrate with different traditions and decorations. The Cantonese areas, for example, will more often celebrate with the Dragon and Lion dances."
Irish-born Chinese community member (and Founder of IrishBornChinese.com) Vicky Lee explains some of the traditions, superstitions and practices of the Chinese New Year that you may have heard of - but don’t necessarily understand. “As a kid, I was always really excited for the Chinese New Year," she says, "as traditionally you were given money. We don’t get presents. We’re given these small red envelopes, called Lycees in Cantonese. It is more for adults and relatives to give to children, with wishes of good luck and auspiciousness. So at the moment, I’m preparing all the red packets."
“There are certain things you can’t do on certain days, like sweep the house because you’re sweeping out the luck, or you can’t wash your hair on another day because of washing out the luck. It’s a happy time full of hope and wishes of good fortune wishes."
The festival is an important time for Vicky. "Being from Limerick," she says, "I was excited about the festival being celebrated in Dublin when I moved here, as it’s an opportunity to learn more about my culture and connect with people with a similar background.”
“The main festivities in CHQ, for example, are a great opportunity to learn lots and taste the food, no matter what your background. It's great to see such a melting pot of different people from different backgrounds learning something [new]. There is such an exciting atmosphere.”
With such a cornucopia of choice, here’s a quartet of highlights to help you decide where to go:
Panel Discussion - A Chinatown for Dublin? Belvedere House 02/02/2017
Bandied about on social media over the past few months, what has proven to be a controversial proposal of a Chinatown District on Parnell Street and a Chinese Gate for the area will be discussed at this event. What value might it bring? Who wants it? Who doesn’t? Why? Guaranteed to have a lively reaction, this will be one well worth attending.
Louise Reay’s It’s Only Words International Bar 03/02/2017
On a lighter note, winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Groundbreaker award 2016, Louise Reay’s show is based on the idea that only 7% of communication is verbal. Mixing clowning and standup, whether you understand Chinese or not you will laugh at her unique comic insights on family, sex and relationships.
The Asian Flavour Lazy Bike Tour The Lazy Bike Tour Shop 29/01/2017
Littered with fantastic food events, choosing just one at DCNY will be tricky. One of the more guilt-free options is to combine exercise with an exploration of Chinese flavours around Dublin. While learning about the history of the Chinese community, you will stop off at different restaurants and sample some luscious dishes.
Spring Festival Fair CHQ Building 05/02/2017 12pm to 5pm
Getting bigger and bigger each year, the Spring Festival Fair is an absolute must. Arts and crafts, entertainment, chess, calligraphy, displays and demonstrations all converge in the CHQ building - from shadow puppetry to lessons in dragon/lion dancing, this is always a great family day out.
Mother River: Yan Wang Preston Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square from 28/01
Covering the journey along the Yangze River - known as ‘Mother River’ in China - from Tibet to the ocean, Yan Wan’s photographs offer a revealing portrait of the Chinese landscape. Shot over 100 km intervals at 63 shooting locations, the results of this four-year project are stunning.
For a full list of the festival programme, go to the Dublin Chinese New Year website.
