The Federation of Chinese Associations in Melbourne will once again host the 2019 Chinese New Year Festival to mark the Year of the Pig.
The 16-day Festival, which runs from February 2-17, will spread across the Melbourne CBD and associated venues, spreading light, colour, and laughter throughout.
Additionally, there will be plenty of activities for the whole family to get involved in, and traditional Chinese dishes served up to tantalise your taste buds.
The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp, officially opened the festival at Queensbridge Square on Saturday, February 2, with the presence of the Leader of the Federal Opposition Bill Shorten, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, the Acting Consul General of the People's Republic of China Jianhua Zeng, and other distinguished guests.
The Right Hon. Sally Capp said the colourful Chinese New Year Festival is one of the many celebrations of Melbourne's diverse multicultural community.
"Our city is home to people speaking 260 different languages and dialects, and 135 practising 135 faiths," she said.
"Melbourne’s Chinese community has played a significant role in our proud multicultural history and the wider Victorian community enjoys and embraces Chinese culture and cuisine," she added.
The Official Opening of the 2019 Chinese New Year Festival
Over the course of the day, visitors enjoyed various cultural activities including Chinese chess competitions, gods of Fortune photo opportunities, Chinese drum practice, traditional calligraphy art, cultural performances, demonstrations and much more.
Kids and families partook in a series of workshops from singing to playing instruments, as well as enjoy a magic show and live music.
Source: City of Melbourne
Yarra Trams Cultural Kaleidoscope
The Yarra Trams Cultural Kaleidoscope includes a series of cultural activities within the main area of the Queensbridge Square that showcase Chinese and various other Asian countries’ traditional customs and culture.
Some of the day activities include cooking shows, traditional tea ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations, traditional instrument classes, Tai Chi, paper cutting, calligraphy, painting, dances, parades, as well as photo opportunities.
Then, as the sun goes down, choose from a variety of traditional performances to watch, from dance, parade, Kung Fu, drums, Tai Chi, Square dancing, as well as dance performances from youth groups.
Source: City of Melbourne
Chinese New Year's Eve
To help ring in the New Year, there will be various exciting stage performances throughout the night including dances, Kung-Fu, costume parades, drums, a magic show, a Lion dance and Latin and hip-hop dances from youth groups.
Date: Monday 4 February
Location: Queensbridge Square, Queensbridge Street
For more: visit here
Location: Queensbridge Square, Queensbridge Street
For more: visit here
Source: City of Melbourne
Family Day at the Cultural Kaleidoscope
Learn how to make lanterns, write your name in calligraphy, or immerse yourself in the ancient art of paper cutting, or face mask colouring. Relax and let the festival show you about the Chinese culture through performances from local and international Chinese artists, both young and old.
Source: City of Melbourne
Dragon Boat Regatta
Dragon Boat racing has been practised for more than 2000 years, making it one of China’s oldest and most revered traditions. In the Chinese culture, the Dragon is a symbol for good luck and is said to live within the sea and in the clouds, controlling the rainfall. Over the years the racing has come to symbolise a ritual to bring luck and prosperity to a city.
Date: Saturday 16 February - Sunday 17 February
Location: Docklands, 55 Victoria Harbour Promenade
Closing Ceremony
A very special program has been developed for this year’s closing ceremony, full of light and colour that will illuminate the city. Performances include a lantern parade with the fire dragon and the glowing lions, and a closing ceremony dance.
Kids and families will also have the opportunity to dance with the performers, learning authentic Chinese routines to traditional music.
Date: Sunday 17 February
Location: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
