Chinese New Year celebration will return to Durham city centre this Saturday 5th February, having missed last year’s lunar new year because of the pandemic restrictions.
Accompanied by clashing drums and cymbals, the traditional Chinese Lion Dance will be performed in various places in the city centre, the first being Millennium Place at 12.30pm where Cllr Arnie Simpson, Mayor of Durham, will be charged with catching the lucky lettuce to ensure good luck and prosperity for the city for the coming year.
The lion dances are staged by Oceans Apart Kung Fu Club from Newcastle, and again this year the performers will be accompanied by children from Langley Moor Primary School who have been rehearsing their own lion dance performances since the beginning of term.
Colin Wilkes, Managing Director of Durham Markets which stages the Traditional Lion Dance for Chinese New Year, commented:
“It’s great to bring the Chinese New Year celebrations back into the heart of Durham, after having to miss last year. It’s quite a spectacle, a loud and bright performance, and with performances throughout the city centre everyone gets a good chance to enjoy it.”
Following the performance in Millennium Place at 12.30pm, performances will then follow in Durham Market Place, Prince Bishops, on Elvet and Framwellgate Bridges and finally in Clayport Library. For approximate timings, see www.durhammarket.co.uk/event.
There are further displays and demonstrations for Chinese New Year in Durham Town Hall from 10.45am onwards as well as Chinese language taster sessions and storytelling in Clayport Library starting at 11am.
