Welcome in the year of the Dog

Gongxi facái

At midnight on 28 January 2006, the Chinese Year of the Green Rooster (Wooden and Metal Rooster) will end and the Chinese community in Australia will welcome in the Year of the Red Dog (Fire and Metal Dog). [1]

Dog couplets in the window

 FCA Chinese New Year Festival
[youthcentral]

The 2006 Festival will start on Chinese New Year’s eve, Saturday 28th January 2006, and in line with Chinese traditional custom, will see a spectacular display by lions and fireworks at the stroke of midnight on 28th January 2006. The street festival will begin at midday and run through the night. The stages will showcase many cultural performances by Melbourne’s great multicultural communities. As with Chinese traditions, there will be numerous displays of lions dances punctuated by beating drums and fire-crackers. The Festival has been one of Melbourne most celebrated festivals in recent years and is great for the whole family.

On Sunday the 29th of January 2006, the new day also brings the New Year and new fortunes and prosperity. The Millennium Dragon will be awakened to parade through the streets of Melbourne’s Chinatown. Touching the Dragon will bring great luck and fortune. The Chinese Lions will be out in force and Chinatown will be abuzz with drums, firecrackers, music, singing, food and families celebrating the Year of the Dog.

This festival, since its inception in 1982, has been organised and hosted by the Federation of Chinese Associations (FCA) in partnership with the City of Melbourne. Being in the centre of Melbourne, there is easy public transport access by bus, tram or train. For residents living in the city of Melbourne, it is an easy stroll to this colourful and exciting experience.

 

 Lion Dancing: Lion stalks the cabbage,
Lion eats the cabbage,
… Lion drinks the VB!
(Check out the crackers!!)

 

Here be Dragons

[1.] Chinese New Year [cultureandrecreation.gov.au]
[2.] More photo’s on Flickr [Flickr]