The Year of the Dragon

Residents of a well-known south Belfast loyalist enclave came together in an exciting and uniquely multi-cultural celebration to mark the Chinese New Year in style.

In an unprecedented collaboration, the Chinese community and local residents joined forces for the first time to transform Donegall Pass – which has a long established Chinese community – into a dazzling festival thoroughfare to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Dragon.

The festivities which ran all week, culminated in a big street festival on Donegall Pass itself to mark this hugely significant Chinese cultural landmark.

The free events kicked off with the unveiling of Chinese Lanterns along Donegall Pass followed by a Tea Dance for seniors. There were also opportunities for visitors and locals to take part in the fun with events such as Lion Dancing, Chinese Calligraphy, dance, T’ai Chi, a range of street performers, martial artists, Chinese arts and crafts, traditional Chinese cooking, refreshments and many more additional workshops . The day finished in spectacular style with everyone invited to take part in the main Lion Dance along the lantern-strewn Donegall Pass.

Launching the first ever Donegall Pass Chinese Community Festival, the Chair of One World Creative and Proprietor of Lee Foods Wholesale Koon Hay Lee described the event:

“It’s a celebration of the many positive aspects of Chinese Culture. With a mini carnival, creative of workshops, cookery demonstrations, Chinese lanterns and a Lion Dance. This will be the first local celebration of the Chinese New Year that will encourage local residents to become truly involved and gain a better understanding of Chinese Culture.”

Anne McAllister, Chair of Donegall Pass Events Committee commented:

“The Donegall Pass Forum has been working to improve the image of the area and foster better relations between residents and businesses for several years. This event, which is the first time we have worked in partnership with One World Creative, will be a celebration of the many positive aspects to local and Chinese Culture and hope that people from across Belfast will join us for what promises to be a wonderful day.”

This unique event for all the family offers traditional Chinese gifts, food and drink for everybody to enjoy, and organizers hope that it will mark the perfect and inclusive start to a momentous year in the Chinese calendar.

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