Birmingham’s Chinese community is preparing to welcome in the Year of the Monkey today, Sunday, February 7, with an afternoon of celebrations aimed at the whole family. Organised by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee in conjunction with Southside Business Improvement District (BID) and supported by Birmingham City Council, the event will include Chinese music, stalls, dance and performance.
Running from 12pm to 6pm at the Arcadian Centre, Birmingham, the events will begin with a traditional Lion Dance and firecrackers, starting things off with a bang. Following will be speeches including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and a stage programme until 5.30pm
Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr Raymond Hassall said: “It gives me great pleasure to join Birmingham’s Chinese community in celebrating Chinese New Year and welcoming in the Year of the Monkey.
“Occasions such as this are part of what makes our city so great, so I hope that as many people as possible will join us for what promises to be a fantastic afternoon of free family entertainment.”
James Wong, chairman of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, said: “Chinese New Year is the biggest event in the Chinese calendar. Due to support from the local community and partners such as Southside and The Arcadian, the festival has grown year on year, positioning it as one of the top festivals in Birmingham’s extensive events calendar.
“As well as the traditional lion dancers, acrobats, singers and dancers, the 2016 festival will also see the introduction of a new street food market which will be serving up an array of Far Eastern delicacies, making it a truly family-friendly affair.”
Further information, including a full programme of events, is available at www.cnybirmingham.org.uk.
