Chinese New Year
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 have arranged a series of activities in the city on Sunday 14th February.
2010 is the year of the Tiger - It is thought that people born in the year of the Tiger have characteristics which include being competitive, passionate, independent, alert and intelligent.
At the Civic Centre
In order to mark the Chinese New Year celebration in the city, organisers have arranged a series of activities including a dragon dance, lion dance and parade through the city centre. This will take place on Sunday 14th February. The event will officially start at 11.00am at the Civic Centre with the Mayor of Southampton performing the traditional ceremony of 'dim jing', this involves the painting of the eye of the dragon. This is a symbolic ritual of giving a life to the dragon. This will be followed by the dragon dance, unicorn dance, lion dance and martial arts display. Following the ceremony the dragon will parade through the City Centre stopping at a demonstration area at the Bargate.
A large temporary screen complete with a camera crew will be operational in the Civic Centre car park to relay live footage onto the screen. A big screen will be placed in the centre, allowing you to text your ‘love messages’ for all to see.
Dragon Parade
At approximately 12.30pm the lion and dragon will parade through the City Centre to the Bargate where they will stop for a short demonstration. After the demonstration some of the parade continued along the route to the Grosvenor Casino.
Route
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Festival of Love
The Festival of Love featuring the Chinese New Year Market will take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February at the Bargate and Above Bar area in the City Centre Precinct.
The launch of the Valentine's Weekend Festival of Love / Chinese New Year celebrations will be broadcast "LIVE" on PlayRadio and will take place on Above Bar precinct at 11am on Saturday 13th February. The launch will be in the presence of the Town Crier, Hon.John Melody and The Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Elizabeth Mizon. It will include a performance of the famous Chinese Lion Dance to formally open the weekend's activities. Market stalls will be selling valentine and Chinese gifts plus there will be food demonstrations all weekend. On Saturday evening there will be a funfair at Bargate for all the family to enjoy.
If you would like a stall at this event please contact Carmen Wear on 07833 963384 or wai.wear@yahoo.co.uk
Photographic Competition
For the fourth year running 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 a £50.00 voucher to spend in Yau Brothers. Entry deadline is Friday 19th February 2010.
Above:- Winning photograph 2009 by Susan Thomson incorrectly credited in leaflet.
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 Conditions apply.
Sponsorship
If you're interested in sponsoring any element of this event in 2011 please email events@southampton.gov.uk
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
