Thousands attend Chinese New Year celebrations
Thousands of people have gathered for celebrations for Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.
The festivities in Newcastle city centre featured a parade, traditional performances and cultural displays in a showcase of Chinese heritage.
The local Chinese community puts on the celebrations each year along with Newcastle City Council and NE1 Ltd, which supports the city’s businesses.
Organiser Yvonne Ng said: “The turnout is amazing and we like everyone to have fun and understand the culture.”
Many children took part in the celebrations [BBC]
“It is everything that would happen in Hong Kong or China, and we are delighted that Newcastle embraces and supports the event,” she added.
The main event was a parade from Monument to Stowell Street, Chinatown.
Crowds lined the streets as a golden dragon, accompanied by dancing lions, wove its way through the city.
Organisers said they were delighted to see the event so well supported [BBC]
Performers, dressed in red and gold, moved in rhythm to the beat of traditional Chinese drums, with firecrackers set off, which symbolises the warding off of evil spirits and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead.
The event was watched by thousands of people [BBC]
Ms Ng said: “We have a lion, dragon and a unicorn.
“We’ve got two local Mandarin-speaking schools and they wanted to get involved and showcase what their children can do.”
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