Gettin’ piggy with it

We’ve already had the Gregorian calendars New Year so now it’s the turn of the Chinese New Year, which marks the beginning of spring and a year of fun and self indulgence. Hurray!

Thousands of spectators are expected to turn out for the traditional dragon parade, from Albert Square to Chinatown, which starts at 1pm on Sunday 18th February.

Other events include a Kung Fu display, folk dancing, oriental music and stalls in Faulkner Street car park. There will be marshal arts exhibitions and plenty of stalls and workshops. The official celebrations end with a firework display at 6.30pm.

Manchester Art Gallery is also marking the New Year on Sunday, with free activities for all the family including face painting and drawing workshops, traditional Vietnamese and Chinese folk dancing, Chinese opera and classical music demonstrations, Tai Chi, and of course the much-anticipated highlight of the day, the Lion Dance.

Many Chinatown restaurants have special Year of the Pig menus with scrumptious pork dishes on offer, making this the tastiest Chinese New Year to date! Take full advantage…next year is Year of the Rat!

Kung hei fat choy! (Happy Chinese New Year).

Lynda Moyo