Oxfordshire's Chinese community will welcome the Year of the Rabbit at its 31st Chinese New Year celebrations.

The event is returning to Oxford Town Hall for the first time after a three-year gap due to Covid restrictions.

Mei Clark said: "This event is a valuable opportunity for local Chinese to celebrate their significant festival, and for other local residents to learn about Chinese culture and meet the Chinese community."

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is the most important festival celebrated by the Chinese community as it marks the beginning of the traditional Chinese calendar.

In 2023, January 22 marks the beginning of Lunar New Year.

Oxford Mail:

Each year is named after one of the 12 animals in sequence in the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit being the fourth one.

The rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture.

People born in a Year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.

The event features a rich cultural programme with a wide range of performances including a lion dance, martial arts, acrobatics, Peking Opera, Chinese music, dance and poems, piano and guzheng recital.

Before the main programme starts, an acrobatics and magic workshop will keep the children entertained.

A new addition to this year’s programme is a performance by stand-up comedian Peter Shum.

Mr Shum is an experienced television host who moved to Oxford recently from Hong Kong.

Oxford Mail:

His performance will tell the stories of three generations of people in Hong Kong as the city rapidly developed from the 1970s to the 21st century. Peter will also be the Master of Ceremonies.

Another new attraction this year is the New Year Market featuring various family-friendly activities that reflect Chinese cultural heritage, such as a demonstration of Chinese calligraphy and traditional paper-cutting.

Visitors are also welcome to join taster workshops to learn how to write "huichun" (messages of blessings for the new year), or cut Chinese words – all on red paper.

They can also play dress-up in traditional Chinese costumes and take fantastic selfies.

Stephen Chu, Chair of Oxfordshire Chinese Community & Advice Centre (OCCAC) said: “Chinese New Year is about friends and family members coming together.

"The event promotes understanding and appreciation of the Chinese culture, brings a multi-cultural flavour and cross-cultural harmony to Oxford City.

"We’re pleased to see the keen support of the locals over the years and welcome everyone to join us!”

Advance tickets are on sale now at St Clement’s Family Centre, Cross St, OX4 1DA on Mondays (1:45pm-4pm) and Fridays (11am-3pm) , or one of the many points of sale that can be found on OCCAC’s website (www.occac.org.uk). 

Oxford Mail:

Oxfordshire Chinese Community & Advice Centre (OCCAC) will be holding its 31st Chinese New Year celebration on Sunday January 29 from 12 noon to 3.30pm at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates OX1 1BX.

 

 

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